By JOLENE OGLE
POLICE horse Hercules and his sidekick Manny took to Noosa Main Beach this week to help stop crime on our sandy shores.
Hercules and Manny, along with Acting Sergeant Katie Blomkamp and Constable Lauren Fitzjohn, serve in the Queensland mounted police who were invited to patrol Noosa as part of operation Beach Watch following a spike in thefts.
Sgt Blomkamp, who has been riding horses since she was 5, said the mounted police were a great crime fighting force when it came to patrolling busy areas such as beaches.
“We are like any other police officer, we just do our job on horseback. We can make arrests. The only thing we can’t do is transport people,” she said.
“But when mounted, we can see for a long distance and as a slower mode of transport, we have the opportunity to observe people and their behaviour.
“Being on a horse is a unique mode of transport that means we can access difficult terrain such as the national park, as well as enter the water. Also, being so visible helps deter theft.”
The mounted police service is stationed in Moggill, south-west of Brisbane, and includes up to 21 horses, over 10 officers and two stable hands.
To make the grade as a police horse, all horses must be a Percheron, at least 16 hands high and solid in colour before they can strap on the blue and white saddle.
The horses and the officers can be deployed as far north as Townsville and are used for many different assignments.
“The horses can be used for general duties such as patrolling as well as ceremonial roles, escort roles and as a PR tool for breaking down the barrier between police and children,” Sgt Blomkamp said.
“The horses do shift work just like us, so they can work at night. But we take great care of them and make sure they rest if they are tired.”
Sgt Blomkamp, who has been a police officer for over 13 years, said she loved her job.
“A horse really is the best partner you can have,” she said.
“I love coming to work. It puts a smile on my face. The horses really do bring a positive element to policing.”
