NOPD’s Mounted Unit - 100 Years Strong
Since 1925, the New Orleans Police Department has maintained a Mounted Unit as a crime-fighting asset and an integral part of our world-renowned crowd control efforts. The Unit is one of NOPD’s most iconic divisions, providing high visibility in the historic French Quarter, Mardi Gras parades, sporting events like the Super Bowl and many local festivals.
The Mounted Unit utilizes the strategic advantages of height and maneuverability to patrol crowded, tight areas that standard vehicles cannot reach. Along with its crowd control and visibility duties, the unit is renowned for acting as a massive community engagement tool, forging positive daily interactions between officers, residents, and tourists. In fact, the horses are so popular with the public, that many have their own official ‘Trading Cards’.
Over the years, the precise training, expert knowledge and strategic deployment of the Unit has made it the envy of Units across the state, the country and even the world. NOPD is approached by departments worldwide looking to build viable Mounted Units, and NOPD Mounted is happy to share its knowledge and experience.
The Horses
The horses selected to become part of the iconic NOPD Mounted Unit are typically warmbloods-crosses between draft horses and thoroughbreds or quarter horses and must meet a specific temperament profile suited for city streets, flashing lights, noise and rowdy crowds.
It can take a year of training before a horse is ready to hit the streets. And not every horse makes the cut. Like our commissioned officers, we only take the best of the best!
For a short period beginning in 2016, the Mounted Unit maintained its own breeding program as a way to grow the stable of horses in house. But this proved too costly and difficult. The program was cancelled and today the horses are sourced from reputable Louisiana breeders who are knowledgeable about the needs of the department.
Mounted horses typically serve in the Unit for anywhere from 10 to 20 years and then are retired to local farms where they live out their days in green pastures, occasionally being ridden by children & adults with special needs or the like.
The Unit relies on donations and fundraising to maintain its stable of horses and bring in new, young horses to replace retiring ones. Over the years, the Police & Justice Foundation, COPS 8 and the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation have assisted by promoting Adopt-a-Horse and sponsorship opportunities.
In 2011, the Horses, Hops & Cops Fundraiser in conjunction with Budweiser was initiated to provide an even larger scale public event that has been integral in raising funds each year.
The Budweiser Clydesdale Connection
The Budweiser Clydesdales' participation in New Orleans Mardi Gras is a tradition that has been in place for more than 60 years. The iconic eight-horse hitch frequently returns to lead multiple parades, and in recent years have stabled at the NOPD’s Mounted Division barns on Harrison Avenue in City Park.
It’s through this collaboration that Budweiser has assisted NOPD at its Horses, Hops & Cops fundraiser offering tours of their horse stalls, photos and even a display of the majestic animals as they romp in the arena-much to the delight of the crowds!
The Arrival of Patch the Mini-Horse
Patch, the miniature horse, arrived at the New Orleans Police Department in January 2024, when he was gifted to Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.
The horse, who is 3 feet tall and only has one eye, was quickly integrated into the Mounted Unit and has become a ‘buddy’ and comfort horse to the other Mounted horses- helping to reduce their anxiety and relieve boredom.
He quickly became a fan favorite and joins NOPD on Mardi Gras parade routes and at various events and local schools. Known as a ‘peace horse’, Patch is quite the hit, especially with children.
Patch was sworn in as a full-fledged NOPD officer on April 18, 2024, when he was given his own badge and proclamation from the New Orleans Mayor and City Council.