Three new horses recently joined the San Francisco Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Unit at a recent swearing-in ceremony at the Fred C. Egan Police Stables in Golden Gate Park, timed to coincide with the Year of the Horse.
“As we’re stepping into the 152nd year of the Mounted unit, the people and the horses remain strong and committed to continuing an important role to protect public safety and build a relationship within the community,” said Deputy Chief of Special Operations Jason Sawyer.
The SFPD Mounted Patrol has operated continuously since 1874, making it the second-oldest mounted unit in the country after New York City. It’s the only unit in San Francisco protected by the city charter, a status voters secured in 1988 with more than 85 percent of the vote.
The horses work across the city, from Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach to North Beach, Union Square, and the Tenderloin, where their presence tends to open conversations that a patrol car never could. The three new horses (Ozzie, Cinco, and Sutro!) will join the unit’s existing roster (including Rusty, Bubba, Duke, and Gus!) and begin community patrol.
“Their height offers a clearer view in the crowded areas,” Sawyer said. “But their duties are more than just keeping us safe. Over the decades, the Mounted Unit officers and horses have created unforgettable moments for anyone who has interacted with them.”
The event also celebrated the completion of a major facility upgrade by the San Francisco Public Works, including better permeability of the paddock area, ground renovation, and pipe replacement in 2025. The improvements give the unit a safer, better-equipped home base.
The San Francisco Police Community Foundation is proud to support the officers, staff, and programs that make moments like this possible. Learn more at sfpolicecommunity.org.
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