The York County (PA) Regional Police Department is expanding its services to include a new mounted unit, but to get up and running, they are asking for community support.
“We have a group of 15 officers that have expressed interest in working with a mounted unit,” said Lt. Tobin Zech, a member of the York County Regional Police Department. “Officers are doing this all on their own time. They have to do their own fund raising. That’s how dedicated these officers are about being involved with this unit.”
The police commission is willing to support the unit, but they are looking toward the community to help provide the start-up costs. The police commission has purchased a four-horse trailer and provided a truck for the unit.
“We’re right on this verge where we can make this work,” Zech said.
The unit also has a home base picked out in York Township, at a farm recently purchased by the municipality. The site is going to be a recreation area, but plans are to keep the barn and pastures and make them available to house the police horses. The barn could be open the public so that people coming into the park would be able to come in and interact with the police and horses
To get the mounted unit off the ground the interested officers created a 501c3 corporation “Friends of York County Regional Mounted Police” to do fundraising. The not-for-profit corporation was formed to “strengthen and financially support the services of the York County Regional Mounted Police Unit and to work with the same to: enhance public awareness of the Mounted Unit and promote civic spirit in support of public safety and security; provide financial support… and promote a public-police partnership and increase community relations through education and engagement of the Mounted Unit.”
Special protective gear is needed for the horses. The biggest expense to get started is the purchase of horses, but they will also need equipment and ongoing support for the upkeep of the animals.
Zech, who is president of the Friends of York County Regional Mounted Police, explained that they reached out to law enforcement agencies that are using horses, particularly the city of Bethlehem, PA for sample policies, direction and assistance.
Advantages of patrolling on horseback include having a clearer view of an area, greater public visibility, and the ability to operate in close places.
Right now, the unit has no horses, but they have researched and defined what they are looking for in their mounts. Draft or draft cross geldings are preferred. “We’d like to start with two and grow to four. It’s baby steps,” Zech said.
The Department is open to the idea of accepting donated horses, but they would have to fit the requirements and undergo evaluation to ensure they are suitable for the job.
Helping with the organization of the unit and serving as vice president of the Friends of York County Regional Mounted Police is retired PA State Trooper Wes Vanwyk, who was a full time Mounted Patrol Trooper. His son Tyler Vanwyk is an officer in the department and is one of the applicants for the mounted unit along with at least one female officer and others with a wide range of equestrian experience.
Once the horses are purchased, they and the officers will attend a two-week training program with the PA State Police, and the appropriate officers for the unit will be selected.
The 64 member York County Regional Police Department covers all of York County with the exception of the City of York. Even then, there are times when the department is called in to assist the York City police.
“The main purpose for the horses is going to be for special events, carnivals, parades, public relations, and then actual police work where we would have crowd control,” Zech said.
Zech has some concerns that the public may be unhappy with the cost of the unit. “A lot of people aren’t aware of all the benefits mounted units provide.”
On the positive side, it is hoped that the addition of a mounted unit will help the police officers build relationships with the community at a time when police departments across the country are facing negative perceptions from the public.
“We need to make those connections now more than we ever did. Our job relies heavily on the support of citizens - they are our eyes and ears,” Zech said. “It seems like everybody loves horses. It’s just building that community relationship.”
There is no fundraising end date, as there will be continuing costs for the care of the horses. Zech hopes to have the first two horses in the barn before the end of the year. Already there are requests for the mounted unit to take part in events in 2023.
Donations are being sought at every level and any amount helps. Some contribution levels include $15,000 for the purchase of a horse which includes the naming of the horse, $10,000 to name the horse stall for three years; $5,000 for horse care, farrier and veterinarian for a year; $3,000 for a Stubben saddle; and $1,000 for bedding/feed.
For more information or to make a donation to Friends of York County Mounted Police, visit ycrpd.org and follow the tab to the mounted unit page. There are links to donate by Pay Pal or Venmo. Donations may also be mailed to FYCRMP, 33 Oak St., York PA 17402 or donations may be made in person at the York County Regional Police Department at the same address.