About our mounted patrols and the horses
Mounted Patrol Team
Our History
The CPS Mounted Patrol Team was first formed in 1910 and ran until approximately 1924.
In 1940, the Calgary Special Constabulary was formed which was an auxiliary unit included a mounted and dismounted section. These special constables objective was to aid in the maintenance and/or restoration of order and “civil morals” and the alleviation of distress resulting from emergencies. This included protection of city resources, most importantly the Glenmore Reservoir. In January 1942 a split occurred, and the mounted section reformed as the Calgary Mounted Constabulary and ran until 1944.
The Mounted Patrol Team was re-formed in 1979 and has evolved over the years into the team it is today.
The main operational duties of the unit can be split into patrol, public order, searches and ceremonial.
As of summer 2025, the unit consists of five graduated horses, one horse in training, four full-time sworn constables, one civilian horse trainer/team supervisor, five part-time sworn constables and more than 15 sworn quarry volunteers.
When in districts, Mounted Patrol Team officers attend calls just like any other patrol member, however the benefit of having a mounted unit on patrol is the huge presence, even before any interaction takes place with anyone.
Members of the Mounted Patrol Team find that wherever they are, in the majority of cases, members of the public are drawn to them in a positive manner and wish to interact, even if they have had negative experiences with police in the past.
The Mounted Patrol Team is instrumental in searching urban and rural areas within the city and nearby that may be difficult to access by foot or vehicle. Due to the tall stature of officers on horseback, they gain a unique perspective and have an extended field of vision. It is said that dependent on the terrain, one Mounted Patrol Team officer can cover the same search area as 20 officers on the ground.
Both locally and nationally, Mounted Patrol Team officers who are deployed in crowd management situations offer a unique observation platform, while also having the ability to move large crowds with specific tactics.
The ceremonial duties we are involved in include Chief’s Awards, memorial days, Remembrance Day, graduations, police funerals and the Calgary Stampede parade.
The vision of the unit is:
"To enhance the Mounted Patrol Team’s capabilities and capacities, and
To be a highly operational unit in the Calgary Police Service"
In 2016, the Mounted Patrol Team instituted a new naming protocol for Police Service Horses (PSHs) that are welcomed to the team. PSHs are now carefully named after important events in Canadian Military history to honour the courage and sacrifice of Canadian servicepeople who have defended Canada with great courage and honour throughout our history.
CPS Police Service Horses
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PSH Anzio
Joined the CPS: 2020
Breed: Percheron x Standardbred
Date of Birth: Feb. 4, 2015
Birthplace: Dawson Creek, B.C.
PSH Anzio is a young and fresh minded gelding. He was named after the ‘Battle of Anzio’ that took place during the Ssecond World War, where allied Canadian soldiers sacrificed their lives for the victory against Nazi Germany. He stands tall at 16.3hh and is solid black in colour. This boy is a magnet for attention and seeks to please anyone and everyone he meets. He is rounding out to be an exceptional police horse with his desire to learn and explore all the curiosities the City of Calgary brings to the job. He has a strong work ethic and is first at the gate in hopes to be chosen for patrol or training for the day. PSH Anzio’s strongest duty is searching for missing persons, as he thoroughly enjoys riding out into the forested trails within the city parks and rural areas.
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PSH Dieppe
Joined the CPS: 2018
Breed: Belgian x Andalusian
Date of birth: April 29, 2008
Birthplace: Lamont, Alta.
PSH Dieppe was born and raised in Alberta, Canada and started his life with a very loving owner who raised him for nine years before Dieppe became a Police Service Horse. He is a strikingly handsome bay gelding, standing at 16.3hh with a compliment of a heavy draft breed mixed with Spanish horse. His agility and strong body is ideal for a rigorous career as a police horse. He was named after the “Dieppe Raid” that took place in France on August 19, 1942, where 916 Canadian troops lost their lives during the disastrous battle during the Second World War against Nazi Germany. Dieppe’s heart is pure gold and he puts all his effort into his job as a patrol service horse. His kind eye expresses his enjoyment of people’s company and he aims to please his mounted officer with all that is asked of him. In the herd, he is the smoothest to ride and assists new officers of the Mounted Patrol Team learning equitation techniques without fail. He is usually the first in the Bow River when the opportunity arises and loves to splash and swim!
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PSH Kapyong
Joined the CPS: 2022
Breed: Canadian x Percheron
Date of Birth: Aug. 1, 2014
Birthplace: Alberta
PSH Kapyong is a bold and handsome gelding standing at 16.2hh. Half of his breeding is Canadian, which is Canada’s own national horse. Canadian breed horses are also known as the “Little Iron Horse” for their hardiness and strong work ethic. “Kappy” is a happy fella when he gets selected to work that day. He has a heart of gold with a curious personality that cannot be missed! ‘The Battle of Kapyong’ was a battle during the Korean war in April 1951 where Canadian Troops allied with United Nations against China and North Korea. PSH Kapyong is a proud Police Service Horse and shows this by his dedication to the Calgary Police Service goals each day.
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PSH Gladius
Joined the CPS: 2022
Breed: Canadian x Percheron x Clydesdale cross
Date of Birth: June 5, 2019
Birthplace: Andrew, Alta.
PSH Gladius is the youngest horse to have joined the CPS Mounted Patrol Team at three years old. He began his career as a PSH by watching all the older, experienced horses do their job which helped him learn new things quite easily. He has a very interested and curious temperament, and working in the city has provided him many neat things to look at and explore. PSH Gladius is very friendly, shows a great deal of loyalty, skill, and enjoys the company of people everywhere he goes. PSH Gladius stands at 17.2 hands high, making him the tallest horse in the herd. He will continue to be an asset to our Mounted Patrol Team for years to come, as we focus on the crime management needs of the city.
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PSH Arleux
Joined the CPS: 2024
Breed: Canadian Draft x
Date of Birth: April 28, 2019
Birthplace: Yellowhead County, Alta.
PSH Arleux was named after the Battle of Arleaux, which took place during the First World War. Arleux stands 17.1hh and is known as a kind, sensitive and quiet type who always tries hard for his partner. He is well mannered and will try anything asked of him. His bravery and confidence have helped him succeed in a variety of scenarios, including controlled firearm exposure training. Calgarians can expect to see Arleux patrolling public spaces throughout Calgary, mainly in the downtown core, and supporting searches for missing people and evidence.
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PSH Normandy (retired)
Joined CPS: 2019
Breed: Clydesdale
Date of birth: July 17, 2010
Birthplace: Edmonton, Alta.
PSH Normandy served as a Police Service Horse from 2019 until his retirement in 2024. He is a handsome stout guy standing at 16.2hh. He is black in colour with lots of chrome! He enjoys people’s attention and is sure to get heads turning with his flashy white stockings and white blaze on his face. PSH Normandy was named after the 1944 ‘Battle of Normandy’ during the Ssecond Wworld Wwar in Normandy, France, where 5,000 Canadians perished over the grueling two-month battle. PSH Normandy is always calm and confident, which allows him to take the scene of the city in stride. PSH Normandy enjoys taking breaks while talking to the public and trying to sneak in a snack with any tree or shrub nearby. He is most happy when receiving pets from children and even happier when its feeding time!
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PSH Vimy (retired)
Joined the CPS: 2016
Breed: Percheron
Date of birth: April 9, 2006
Birthplace: Ontario
PSH Vimy was a PSH from 2006 until his retirement in 2023. He was a 10-year-old without much experience in his life and was. He used as a trail mount prior to becoming a PSH. PSH Vimy is named after the ‘Battle of Vimy Ridge’ in honor of those Canadians who fought for our freedoms in 1917. His breed compliments a strong work ethic that can work steady all day. Vimy’s trainer Nick named him “Mr. Downtown” as he is so comfortable with the traffic, parks and busy scenery downtown Calgary offers. He loves being a Police Horse and is so kind to everyone he meets. Vimy enjoys splashing in the bow river and appreciates stopping for a drink and break while on duty.
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PSH Ortona (retired)
Joined the CPS: 2017
Breed: Percheron x Thoroughbred
Date of birth: May 1, 2004
Birthplace: Alberta
PSH Ortona joined the Service in May 2017 and was a strong serving police horse until his retirement in 2023. He stands a solid 16.2hh, brown in colour and oozes quality in his stature and make up. He was named after the ‘Battle of Ortona’ in respect to those who died and fought for Canadian liberties and freedoms in Italy, 1943. He required very little basic training when he joined the Mounted Patrol Team since he had already had a few disciplines under his cinch. He has previously been a trail horse, vaulting horse and jumping horse, where he competed at Spruce Meadows. PSH Ortona has a forward and brave disposition and is happy to lead the troop during tasks that require a team effort. He is especially helpful in the training ring when new officers to the Mounted Unit learn their equitation and Mounted Patrol skills. He makes a very good lesson horse as well as an exceptional patrol horse. Ortona’s favorite activities include playing soccer and fighting crime.