In 2009, the Bethlehem Police Department did something unexpected. They brought back horses. After a 63 year absence, the city reestablished its mounted police unit, putting officers on horseback and sending them out into the streets, parks, and events of a city that was eager to welcome them back.
A Unit Built by the Community
What makes Bethlehem's mounted unit truly remarkable is how it is funded. The unit operates entirely on private donations. Not a single taxpayer dollar goes to its operation. The Friends of the Bethlehem Mounted Police, formed in 2012, raises all the money needed to feed, house, equip, and care for the horses. The four horses are stabled at the Quadrant Private Wealth Stables, a state of the art facility on a 10 acre parcel at Holy Saviour Cemetery that the unit moved into in June 2016.
Currently, two officers are assigned to active mounted patrol, with five additional field riders who support operations during events and peak periods. The officers are trained specifically for mounted work, which requires a completely different skill set than patrol from a cruiser. Mounted officers must manage their horse, scan their environment, interact with the public, and respond to incidents, all while sitting eight feet off the ground.
Community Ambassadors
The mounted unit has become one of the most effective community policing tools in the department's arsenal, not because of enforcement capability but because of approachability. There is something about a police officer on horseback that invites conversation in a way that a patrol car simply does not. Children are drawn to the horses. Adults stop to take photos. Tourists ask questions. Every interaction is an opportunity to build a relationship between the department and the community.
The unit is a fixture at Musikfest, Celtic Classic, First Friday events on the South Side, and other public gatherings throughout the year. They also conduct regular patrols in city parks and neighborhoods, providing a visible deterrent to crime while simultaneously putting a friendly face on law enforcement. The Friends of the Bethlehem Mounted Police regularly host open house events at the stables, giving residents a chance to meet the horses, tour the facility, and learn about the unit's work.
A Tradition Renewed
Mounted police units have a long history in American cities, but many were disbanded in the mid twentieth century as departments shifted to automobile based patrol. Bethlehem's decision to bring the unit back was a deliberate investment in community connection, and the results have validated that investment many times over. The unit has become a source of pride for the city, a symbol of Bethlehem's willingness to invest in creative approaches to public safety.
For the officers who serve in the mounted unit, the assignment is a point of deep pride. The bond between a mounted officer and their horse is built through daily care, training, and hours spent together on patrol. That partnership is visible to anyone who watches them work, and it adds a dimension of humanity to policing that resonates with residents across the city.
