3 SFPD Mounted Patrol Unit Horses Sworn In During Year of the Horse Celebration #26-034
Mounted Unit officers and horses have been important for public safety efforts and community outreach
On Thursday, March 26, 2026, the San Francisco Police Department Mounted Unit swore in three new police horses – Ozzie, Cinco, and Sutro – as the newest members of the SFPD Mounted Unit during the Year of the Horse Celebration.
The new SFPD horses join existing horses, Rusty, Bubba, Duke, and Gus, to support patrol in neighborhoods across San Francisco, including Union Square, The Embarcadero, Bayview, Castro, Japantown, Golden Gate Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, and more.
The SFPD Mounted Patrol Unit was established in 1874. The iconic patrol unit is the second oldest in America after the New York City Police Department Mounted Unit. In 2024, the SFPD Mounted Unit celebrated its 150th anniversary.
Over the decades, the Mounted Unit officers and the horses have created unforgettable moments for anyone who has interacted with them.
SFPD’s Mounted Unit plays an important role in protecting public safety and building community relations. Residents and visitors often see members of the Mounted Unit at sporting events, parades, and special outdoor events where they help ensure public safety. Their height offers Mounted Unit officers a clear view of crowded areas.
Qualifications of Mounted Unit Horses
Becoming an SFPD horse requires an extensive search process that often excludes most potential candidates, making the qualifying horses the finest ambassadors for the SFPD and the city of San Francisco.
Horses undergo a thorough medical examination prior to being selected. They are extremely well trained and gentle, are in sound mind and in top physical condition. They also go through an extensive trial period where they are exposed to all environments within San Francisco.
When the horses are not working, they train, graze, and sleep at the Fred C. Egan Police Stables in Golden Gate Park. In partnership with San Francisco Public Works, improvement efforts were completed at the stables, including better permeability of the paddock area, ground renovation, and pipe replacement in 2025.