Mounted guardians of the Law

by D.S Joseph

It is a refreshing sight to see a police officer riding a horse during peak hours of traffic in Colombo. The magnificent animal manifests pomp and decorum. The Police Mounted Division is headquartered in the Pettah. It is said that the horses were originally brought as official transport for senior gazetted officers dacades ago.

Horses have been associated with the military for centuries due to their endurance and intelligence. They were part of British history even before the medieval period; Stables were an important element in every castle. In 1760, Sir John Fielding, a British Magistrate endorsed the setting up of a Mounted Police unit to contain the menace of highway robbers in London, who also fled on horseback! The first British patrol had 8 riders.

The horse riding unit of the Ceylon Police was established in 1921. A visit to the stables in the Pettah is awe inspiring. It is a serene sanctuary. The incumbent Director of the Division is Assistant Superintendent of Police Bamunuarachchi. The first building erected in 1920 still stands, with its arched ceilings, where the administrative office functions. A glass showcase displays the various kinds of iron horseshoes used in the decades gone by.

Priority

In 1956, the section was given priority and one Sub Inspector was recruited along with two sergeants and 22 police constables. Inspector Edward Gray became the first Ceylonese to head the Mounted Section. Horses were initially imported from Australia. The majestic animals serving presently are warm blood horses from the Netherlands who have adapted well to the local weather. The warm blood horse is obtained by breeding cold blood horses (Europe) with hot blood horses (Arabia). Since the 1920s the Police stables extended to operate in the hills of Kandy, salubrious

Nuwara Eliya and the cradle of law enforcement training, the Police College, Kalutara.

Proficiency

It is a proficiency level requirement that all officers on being promoted to the rank of ASP be skilled equestrians.

During the visit of Her Majesty the Queen in 1954 the Mounted Division was bestowed the honour of escorting her motorcade. During the visit of a Head of State, the Mounties provide an escort with 24 horses. At the annual Independence Day parades the horsemen uphold a longstanding tradition by riding in their ceremonial white tunics wearing sturdy pith helmets, carrying a wooden lance. Two of the divisions notable commandants were the late SP Gamini Jayasighe (later promoted DIG) and SP Ranmal Koddituwakku (presently DIG,). The incumbent IGP PujithJayasundara is also a keen and competent rider.

Working police horses have a life span of 25 to 30 years. Their height is measured by a unit known as 'hands'- a hand being equal to 4 inches. Larger horses stand at 15-17 hands. The animals require detailed grooming and attention, especially, with regard to their food. As horses cannot vomit, if they develop digestion issues it can cause colic, a condition which can even lead to death. The horses are fed thrice a day at 5 am, 11 am and 6 pm with a balanced mix of imported chaff, oats and barley. After being exercised at the paddock (by riding) they receive a bath from their keepers. The horses are sent on rotation for traffic duty in teams comprising eight riders. When travelling outstation or for a parade, the horses are transported in a long caravan-style vehicle that can accommodate 9 animals in air-conditioned safety. The unique vehicle has a cab with a bed for two officers.

Geldings

ASP Bamunuarachchi explains that some of the horses are geldings, (horses that have been castrated) which make them have a calmer temperament as they encounter crowds of people every day. The intricate art of gelding is said to originate from the ancient Scythians, an Iranian-Eurasian nomadic people who were very passionate about their horses. The use of the horseshoe, which is nailed or glued into the insensitive toe nail, is credited to the defiant Romans who excelled in cavalry.

In countries such as Australia, England and America the mounted police units have been successfully used to contain and repulse crowds of demonstrators who disrupt traffic. Both, the animals and men wear light weight body armour for safety. The sight of the galloping horses is sufficient to break up the protesters. Regular police officers are absorbed in the equestrian section and undergo six months of intense training learning the finer points of horsemanship, including stable management and veterinary care. All Mounties must obtain the certificate of excellence before being endorsed to ride in uniform. Officer in Charge of the Mounties, Inspector S.J.Kumarasiri tells me that the full leather saddles are imported and each horse has its own fitted saddle and bit, as wearing the wrong saddle can cause cuts and bruises which will irritate and distract the animal. The riders are presently practising their drills and show jumping routines for the 150th Police Anniversary celebrations in September.

The Mounted division has a current operational strength of 46 horses and 53 riders, supplemented by a workforce of dedicated horse-keepers. These disciplined men combine their skills and experience as a motivated team and continue to sustain the glorious history and decorum of the division.