KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Police Department's Mounted Patrol Unit, which was in danger of being disbanded, will stay in place, according to the Friends of the KC Mounted Patrol.
In April, Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith said that he was considering disbanding the unit to make way for more officers on the street. He is expected to announce on Tuesday that the Mounted Patrol will stay in place, but a few changes will be made.
“They want the Mounted (Patrol) to be more involved, more aggressive, let’s say, in controlling crime," said AliceLee Hollister, chair of the Friends of the KC Mounted Patrol.
Hollister said that mounted officers are proactive and give a sense of safety and security. She is glad the unit is not getting shut down.
“For now. That’s the operative word. For now," she said. "Every time there’s a decision like this made, it’s for now. But for now, I’d like to say we won the battle."
The seven-member Mounted Patrol includes eight horses, according to the department's website.
The Board of Police Commissioners meeting is set for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at KCPD headquarters.
