Thing: Mounted police

>> Cops on horses do everything from PR to riot duty
by PHILIP PREVILLE

Ask any of the Montreal cops if they dream of becoming Chief of Police or leader of a tactical squad, and they're likely to answer: hell no, I'd rather patrol Mount Royal atop a trusty steed, handing out tickets for leashless dogs, off-trail cycling and public indecency. The MUC police force owns a stable of 12 horses, and chooses 12 lucky constables to ride them. It's the most coveted job in the MUC police--and probably the hardest to get.

The horses: The horses--with names like D'Artagnan, Duc, Sultan, Gaillard, Black Jack, Marquis, Nikita (the lone mare) and Diablo (for his quick temper)--are all Canadian breeds, built for endurance rather than speed. They range in height from 12 hands to an impressive 16 hands, and weigh over 1,000 pounds each. They're cheaper than cars (about $3,000), but far more expensive to maintain. They're fed a steady diet of hay and oats. "When you open the door to get out the oats, they recognize the sound it makes," says Const. Gilles Grisé. "They start braying and stomping their feet, they can't wait."

The cops: When an MUC mountie job opens up, cops with seniority get first crack at it (they all have at least 15 years' experience). But they must first pass a fitness test, a medical exam and an interview--which weeds out all the out-of-shape slobs. Then they do three months of intensive training, followed by a written test and a riding test; the best student gets the job. There's a lot of PR in this job: the cops get their pictures taken by tourists about 150 times a year each. And they have to be bilingual.

The equipment: The MUC mounties ride an English saddle, which is sleek, black and small (as opposed to the Western saddle, which is more rugged and has that little horn in the front). It forces the officers to sit upright, making them look imposing and rigid. The cops carry a .357 magnum, a nightstick and a radio; the saddle blanket includes a pouch where they keep the tickets they issue for infractions.

Final factoid: The horses, which also patrol downtown streets, are currently being trained for riot squad duty. They are outfitted with full-body padding and specially-made horse-facemasks. Training consists of waving flags in their faces, tossing rubber balls at them and teaching them to stay calm. According to Grisé, mounted police were very effective at the recent mega-protests in Washington, D.C. "A lot of people are scared of horses, and those who aren't are smart enough not to get into a fight with one," he says. "In that situation, a horse is as good as 10 cops." :