In this instance, I'm referring to actual mounted police. I know the city of Toronto has them and they're usually on hand during parades and large gatherings. I find them very effective because horses are big and intimidating without being horribly dangerous. People are more likely to back away from a 1200 pound animal than a 180 pound man.

Last year or so, some idiot in a van ran down a mounted officer and injured the horse so badly he had to be euthanized. I think the vet came, looked him over and the officer shot him there and then (the horse, not the vet), behind a blanket to avoid freaking out the bystanders. Poor horse. I think the guy who ran him down should have been charged with assault on a police officer (he came back and hit Brigadier a second time) and not just "dangerous operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm and failing to stop at the scene of an accident." Stupid jerk.

Anyone here have actual cops on horseback in town?