IN THE NEWS
Read "Back in the saddle again" by Tom Corrigan in the Sun Newspapers.

Cleveland ’s financial deficit forced cutbacks. Our historic Mounted Police Unit was to be eliminated.

But ... a volunteer group of civic and business leaders formed the Committee to Save the Cleveland Mounted Police to revive one of our proudest traditions.

The city has agreed to sustain -- for a limited time -- the stable, and a skeleton staff of three plus the unit's sergeant instructor-trainer to care for the horses. The other mounted officers have been reassigned. Currently, the Cleveland Mounted Police Charitable Trust is paying all expenses for the unit's 11 police horses; about $166 per day buys feed, hay and bedding. The Trust was privately established 20 years ago to fund equipment, training, etc. beyond the city's budget.

Through the Friends of the Cleveland Mounted Police effort, individuals and organizations make contributions to the Trust toward the horses' upkeep. They spread the word by generous donations of billboard and theater screen ads, by hanging posters and distributing flyers. They submit names and comments to this website to be counted. Hopefully, the outcry will demonstrate to decision-makers the importance of the Cleveland Mounted Police to our citizens and city, help return officers to saddles, and assure preservation of the unit ...

Why should YOU care and help?

The distinct capabilities of the Cleveland Mounted Police are a huge asset to our police force, community, and citizens on several fronts:

A mounted officer breaks down barriers between the police and public. The horse attracts and engages people. They pet, feed, kiss, and talk to the animal while discussing him/her and connecting with the rider.

Mounted officers walk slower, and can observe, smell and hear things that a patrol car can miss. People approach and tell them of things that they don't have a chance to tell a patrol car.

The mounted officer can get to remote locations and through situations that a patrol car cannot. From their elevated position, they are highly visible, and can search and oversee far more than an officer on foot. In a crowd situation, one properly trained mounted officer team is as effective as 20 officers on foot.

Not only are mounted police outstanding patrol officers, they serve among Cleveland’s finest good will ambassadors to citizens and visitors.

“The Cleveland Mounted Police are a part of this community’s history and heritage. They are part of what makes Cleveland Cleveland,” said businessman and longtime Mounted Unit supporter Bill O’Neill, “We recognize that the City has to make tough financial choices in the current economic times, but we think the Mounted Police is a tradition worth saving.”

What can YOU do to make a difference?

Visit this website often! See updates, events, and specifics on how to help. Learn all about the police horses, and a proud century of history. See remarks from mounted officers and Clevelanders. Be sure to submit your comments to be counted. Get Involved and Spread the Word. Get posters and flyers at Dave's Supermarkets and have them displayed or handed out at your work, area establishments, associations, recreation, etc. Encourage others to also get involved. Be an active part of the solution to help.

Make a Tax-deductible Contribution to the Trust to help sustain the horses and assure the unit’s preservation. Branches of KeyBank, National City, Bank One PayPal (see donation box on the left) Make payable and mail to: Cleveland Mounted Police Charitable Trust 1400 Bank One Center Cleveland, OH 44114 Contribute by mailing a check to: Friends of the Cleveland Mounted Police, 1310 East 49th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114 CLICK HERE FOR A FULL-COLOR DOWNLOADABLE CLEVELAND MOUNTED POLICE PHOTO FOR YOUR DESKTOP WALLPAPER!

Download Printable Cleveland Mounted Police Flyers & Posters (PDF format - Require Acrobat Reader - Click image below to download) Lo-res Flyer (73k) Hi-res Flyer (1.25 Megs) Printable CMP Poster Lo-res Poster (288k) Hi-res Poster (7.96 Megs)

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