The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s Mounted Horse Patrol Unit To Have New Home in 2024
Indianapolis, Indiana (USA) – August 31, 2023 – After 40 years, the building of the new $1.7 million facility for IMPD’s Mounted Horse Patrol is underway. The 20,000 square foot facility will include offices, barn, stables and indoor and outdoor riding arenas on 30 acres on the former Central State campus, just west of downtown.
The IMPD Mounted Horse Patrol is a special unit of highly trained and dedicated officers. Known as “The Approachable Police”, the Mounted Patrol Unit serves the community while on horseback and welcomes and protects both residents and visitors to our city for conventions, sporting events, cultural activities and special events. Under the Community Engagement and Outreach Bureau within IMPD, the unit consists of 3 full time officers, 2 part-time officers and 7 horses. Officers in the IMPD Mounted Unit have all the same arrest powers and training as every other IMPD officer.
The Mounted Horse Patrol was formed in 1983 by a group of caring Indianapolis business leaders who felt a world-class city needed a horse patrol unit. Since then, the unit has had 5 horse stable locations within the city, and has never had a permanent place to call home. Currently, IMPD Mounted Unit officers work out of temporary construction trailers that were never meant for long term use, so the new facility is long awaited.
So far, $1.4 million has been raised with significant donations by Marlyne Sexton, Roger Penske, Turner Woodard and several other large anonymous donations.
While the Mounted Unit has received several significant gifts, donations are always welcomed to ensure the stables are fully completed and outfitted. Any donation amount is welcome and can be made through the CIPF website (https://cipf.foundation/buildthebarn/). There are various naming opportunities still available, ranging between $10,000 and $50,000 donation levels.
The project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2024.
