This week, training got underway for the City's first Mounted Patrol unit in nearly 70 years.

Under the guidance and expertise of Captain Ryan Morrow, three additional officers will go through a minimum of 150 hours training before hitting the streets.






The newest members of KPD, Wagonner and Phyl – two geldings— have been in Knoxville for more than a month and are being cared for at a nearby farm.

The horses were chosen because of their size, calm disposition, and their background with Mounted Patrol International.

Captain Morrow says the horses’ sheer size will be an advantage to their field operations. But, what he’s most excited about is the opportunity to bolster community connections. “We want people to come up and pet the horses and to meet us,” said Capt. Morrow. “A vast majority of what the Mounted Patrol will do, will be increasing interactions with the public.”



Waggoner and Phyl are expected to be officially sworn-in in early March, and the hope is to have the Mounted Patrol out on the streets this spring.

KPD purchased two three-year-old Percherons from Texas-based Mounted Patrol International LLC with federal grant funding. 

View KPD News Release