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Policy 346Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/01/19, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police DepartmentMounted Enforcement Unit - 1Mounted Enforcement Unit 346.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures for the administration, selection, and operation of the Santa Monica Police Department Enforcement Unit. 346.2 POLICY The Santa Monica Police Department (MEU) is to supplement the Patrol Operations Division. In addition, the MEU may also assist in special events, parades, rallies, crowd control, dignitary protection and directed patrol. 346.3 DEFINITIONS Mounted Enforcement Officer - A sworn peace officer assigned to the Mounted Unit who works with or works seated atop a trained police horse. Police Horse or Mount - A horse trained, certified and used for various policing activities under the control of a mounted police officer. 346.4 ADMINISTRATION 346.4.1 ORGANIZATION The Mounted Enforcement Unit (MEU) is assigned to the Office of the Chief of Police and is under the supervision of the Community Affairs Sergeant. The Executive Officer/Chief's Adjutant oversees the MEU, which consists of one sergeant, one lead full-time mounted training officer, and two full-time mounted officers. 346.4.2 RESPONSIBILITIES 1.Executive Officer/Chief's Adjutant shall: (a)Be responsible for the overall management of the Mounted Enforcement Unit in the areas of staffing, personnel selections, budget, and liaison with other divisions. 2.Community Affairs Unit Sergeant shall: (a)Be responsible for the direct supervision of the MEU officers. (b)Review all operational plans and logistics for the assignments of personnel and resources. (c)Handle requests for MEU assistance and forward to the lieutenant for final approval. (d)Be responsible for scheduling monthly training, unit assignments and maintaining unit records. (e)Regularly inspect horses, vehicles, trailers and the stable facility. Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Mounted Enforcement Unit Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/01/19, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police DepartmentMounted Enforcement Unit - 2(f)Assign each MEU officer a primary and alternative horse. (g)Maintain liaison with allied agencies. 3.Lead Training Mounted Enforcement Officer shall: (a)Coordinate in-service training as needed, develop and implement a monthly mounted training program, and prepare training evaluations. (b)Perform horse care, inspect and observe the horses for physical and behavioral signs of illness, injury, and maintain the overall health of the horse. (c)Maintain the horses' feeding supplies, health and first aid supplies, and conduct regular inventories for the ordering of these supplies. 4.Mounted Enforcement Unit Officer shall: (a)Be required to perform the duties of a patrol officer with added duties of mounted patrol. (b)Make every effort to provide high visibility service during the house of increased public exposure, i.e. rush hours, lunchtimes, etc. (c)Support critical incidents where crowd control is needed or provide support for a Mobile Field Force activation. (d)Provide assistance to special events, searches for missing adults or children in limited access areas and conducting mounted demonstrations throughout the City. (e)Be responsible for maintaining their mount in a readied condition to be assigned as needed. (f)Officers are responsible for the daily care and grooming of the horses. They are responsible for the care of all unit equipment including tack and vehicles. 346.5 SELECTION AND QUALIFICATIONS When vacancies exist in the Mounted Enforcement Unit, the MEU lieutenant will determine if a new list of applicants is needed to prepare for future openings. An interdepartmental memorandum will be posted to announce the vacancy. Personnel requesting assignment to the Mounted Enforcement Unit should submit a memorandum of interest through their chain of command. An oral interview board will interview the applicants. The interview board should consist of the MEU lieutenant or designee, MEU sergeant and MEU lead training officer. The Chief of Police, or designee, will make the final selections. 346.5.1 QUALIFICATIONS 1.Mounted Enforcement Unit Lead Training Officer shall: (a)Be a full-time MEU Officer. (b)Meet overall standards or higher on his or her most recent performance evaluation. Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Mounted Enforcement Unit Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/01/19, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police DepartmentMounted Enforcement Unit - 3(c)Maintain physical fitness standards. (d)Agree and understand work hours are subject to frequent changes in accordance with the Department's mission. (e)Successfully complete the Basic, Advanced, and Instructor POST- certified Mounted Patrol Academy classes. (f)Be interviewed and selected at the discretion of the Chief of Police. 2.Mounted Enforcement Unit Officer shall: (a)Be a full-time sworn officer who has completed probation. (b)Meet overall standards or higher on his or her most recent performance evaluation. (c)Maintain physical fitness standards. (d)Agree and understand work hours are subject to frequent changes in accordance with the Department's mission. (e)Successfully complete the interdepartmental training school and Basic Post- certified Mounted Patrol Academy. 346.6 POLICE HORSE SELECTION 346.6.1 DEFINITION Broke Horse - A well-trained, obedient horse which is safe to ride. Cribbing - Involves a horse grasping a solid object such as the stall door, or fence rail with its teeth