Mounted Police

History

The Queensland Mounted Police Unit, as it is known, really came into existence before Queensland became a State in its own right upon separation from the State of New South Wales in 1859.

In fact a Corps of Native Police was formed at Calladoon (Goondiwindi) in 1848 under the command of a colourful character by the name of Captain Fred "Filibuster" WALKER. Their duties were to protect the lives and stock of the early-settlers to Queensland. The Corps continued until 1864 (five years after separation). In 1864 the first Queensland Commissioner of Police was appointed. From that time contingents of Regular and Native Mounted constabulary policed the State together until 1900, when the Native Mounted constabulary was dissolved. Even with the advent of the motor car, police in this state still used horses quite extensively in rural areas until well into the 1950's - 4wd vehicles and motor cycles have now replaced them altogether, except, in the case of the Stock Squad, a specialised unit, whose job it is to investigate stock offences, together with a small contingent based just outside of Brisbane who are still known as the QUEENSLAND MOUNTED POLICE.

Mounted Police Today

The unit was formerly housed at stables in the Police Depot, Petrie Terrace, but moved from there to Oxley in 1947/48. The unit is now located at Moggill. At the present time, the unit has an authorised full-time strength of ten (10) members. The unit maintains at least nineteen (19) geldings at the complex. These horses are obtained either by purchasing or by donation.

Training Police Horses

In receipt of a horse at the unit, a progression of training begins, dependant on the animals previous level of training. The training usually begins with constant riding and handling, so that the horse can perform the basic movements of the walk, trot and canter and other simple movements at the riders command. Once the horse reaches a desired level he then progresses to being ridden on the streets usually in the company of a quiet and educated horse. This will hopefully accustom the new horse to the various sights, sounds and obstacles that he is likely to encounter in his normal duties. Such training can take several months and must be taken quietly.

Mounted Members

Persons desirous of joining the Mounted Unit, must first satisfy the normal requirements for admission into the Queensland Police Service. Either during training or at any time after being inducted into the service, they may apply to be tested in relation to horsemanship to qualify them for entry into the unit. At the present time there is no provision to train 'raw-beginners'. After being sworn-in, personnel may apply to become members of the Mounted Unit on a full-time basis. Mounted Unit members are responsible for the care and maintenance of the troop horses, saddlery and other equipment. In addition, they are also responsible for the day to day cleanliness of the stables and complex.

Duties

The Mounted Unit was formerly very much a Public Relations Unit of the Police Service, whose duties included VIP escorts, namely for members of the Royal Family, the Governor General of Australia, State Governor and other dignitaries. Although still performing all of the above duties, members of the unit are becoming increasingly involved in operational duties, including, but not exclusive to, mounted patrols of the inner city areas of both Brisbane and the Gold Coast, park lands and recreation areas. Other duties including; patrols of suburban schools, searches of bush land for missing person, stolen property and drug plantations. Some crowd control duty is performed at major events.

Visits

Visits to the Mounted Police Unit are made by individuals, groups, associations and schools, these visits offer a most interesting project outing. As it can be seen, the life of a member of the Queensland Mounted Police is a varied and busy one.