New operational names for Essex Police horses
Essex Police horses have been given new operational names
inspired by places in Essex.
The names mark the eight
horses and all their riders becoming nationally accredited by
reaching training standards set by The Association of Chief Police
Officers (ACPO).
Since the Mounted Unit was re-introduced in Essex Police three
years ago, each of the police officer riders has completed a four
month training course and their horses have been trained for up to
18 months.
Now each horse and rider team is nationally accredited and
qualified to standards set by The Association of Chief Police
Officers (ACPO). The unit, based in Writtle near Chelmsford, has
full deployment capability and can also be called to support
colleagues in the south east region.
Mounted Unit Inspector Louise Beattie took the opportunity of
providing the operational names which will be used in addition to
the affectionate ‘pet’ or stable names the horses already have.
Insp Beattie said: “When the Mounted Unit was reformed all of
the horses and riders were new. It’s been a gradual process and has
taken time for the horses and their riders to be trained and for
them to gain the necessary experience to reach national
accreditation.
“In naming the horses we have tried to represent each part of
the county geographically. The new names will be used when the
horses are deployed operationally. They don’t replace the current
affectionate stable names, some of which were decided by
competition winners, as these will still be used by the riders and
grooms at our base in Writtle.
“It’s not uncommon for police horses to have two names. Most
forces around the country have operational and stable names for
their police horses.
“Although all our horses and riders are now accredited, this by
no means marks the end of their training. They will have regular
training days throughout the year to maintain their skills. This is
required to maintain the ACPO licence to ride a police horse.”
There have been no financial costs involved in giving the horses
operational names.
The operational names are as follows:
- Police horse Major, ridden by Mounted Unit sgt Chris Downes,
takes the operational name Tilbury.
- Police horse Toffee, ridden by Pc Joanne Bridge, takes the
operational name Maldon.
- Police horse Trojan, ridden by Pc Paul Mills, takes the
operational name Harwich.
- Police horse Bella, ridden by Pc Frankie Pallett, takes the
operational name Shoeburyness.
- Police horse Rosie, ridden by Pc Michael Magin, takes the
operational name Chigwell.
- Police horse Biscuit, ridden by Pc Sarah Fisk, takes the
operational name Coggeshall.
- Police horse Carlsberg, ridden by Pc Davinia De ferry, takes
the operational name Blackheath.
- Police horse Patrick, ridden by Pc Dale Copley, takes the
operational name Stebbing.
