When Dallas Police Sgt. Victor Renteria heads out for patrol, he rides on the back of Earthquake, one of the mounted unit’s tallest horses. Earthquake is just over 18 hands – about six feet tall – towering above any pedestrian they pass. Renteria says one mounted officer is equivalent to 10 regular officers.
Renteria and others with the unit say horses provide them with more mobility, a vantage point they otherwise wouldn’t have, and an increased sense of police presence when they’re out patrolling city streets. The horses are particularly useful in crowd-control situations.
He also says the horses help with community relations.