The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office Mounted Unit has served the Sheriff’s Office and local community for half a century. During this time, this group has provided support for crowd control with deputies on horseback while also promoting positive public relationships with law enforcement. Like all facets of our society, law enforcement has evolved over the years, adapting to ongoing changes in the needs of keeping our communities safe. Technology has streamlined this process, but there are still benefits to be gained from old-school approaches. “The Mounted Unit has a rich history in law enforcement,” explained Calhoun County Sheriff Steve Hinkley. “Their presence in our community at various events helps to keep this history alive.” The role of the Mounted Unit in Calhoun County goes beyond the history of law enforcement patrol on horseback. Hinkley offered more details. “The Mounted Unit is its own entity. Each deputy owns their horse and everything they need to perform their duties. They are similar to a volunteer fire department. They have an advantage over officers in a squad car or on foot in situations of crowd control. Being seated on a horse allows them a vantage point, helping to scan the area more efficiently.” Hinkley also touched on how the members of the Mounted Unit help to promote a positive perception. “They are by far the best community relations component that I see from my department. The horses seem to draw the public in. They do a fantastic job of fostering positive experiences with community members. I appreciate all that they bring to the community and the sheriff's department.” Although the Mounted Unit is its own entity, it does not exist on an island. Communication and support from the Sheriff’s Office are critical. Mounted Unit Deputy Jeff Adams summarized this partnership. “Our liaison officer, Lieutenant Chris Young, is instrumental in making sure that we are all up to date on our training and certification. He is the go-between for us and the Sheriff. Chris has done an outstanding job in supporting us, and without his support, it would be difficult for us to exist.”
The Mounted Unit currently consists of 8 volunteer deputies. Adams is the longest tenured deputy, dating back to 2015. He discussed why he joined the Mounted Unit. “I have been a public servant all of my adult life as an EMT, firefighter, and elected official for Newton Township. Growing up, my kids were involved in 4-H, so every summer I would see the Mounted Unit at the Calhoun County Fair. This experience made me realize that being a mounted deputy was something I wanted. My career in public safety and time spent riding horses and taking care of them helped to fuel this interest. Finally, in 2013, I decided the time was right, so I completed an application. I have enjoyed this opportunity and plan on continuing as long as my body will allow me to get up on the horse, hopefully at least another 10 years.”
Being a mounted deputy is voluntary and not a full-time job, but it does require more than showing up at events with a horse. Adams discussed the lengthy process required to become a part of the Mounted Unit. “Each of our deputies must be trained as a reserve deputy law official to represent the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department. During the certification process, each candidate must attend a series of evening training sessions. It is a condensed version of a full law enforcement academy.” Each deputy goes through 180 hours of training over a 6-month period of time. The commitment also requires another 10 hours on the shooting range and 40 hours of ride-along time with a deputy who is certified to be a training officer. “Those who desire to be a part of our program must be equestrians willing to dedicate their time,” Adams explained. “These individuals need to come to us with experience and knowledge on how to ride a horse in a crowd.” The training goes beyond teaching future deputies. Horses must go through desensitizing training annually and go through a battery of tests each year to qualify. “Horses must be trained not to let certain things stress them out,” Adams explained. “Examples of stressors for horses include loud noises, streamers, and plastic bags swept away by the wind. The purpose of the desensitizing training is safety for the horse, the rider, and the crowd. Bill Richey, a world-renowned horse trainer and desensitizer, comes to Calhoun County each year to desensitize our horses.” Preparing each horse for becoming comfortable in large crowds is just as important as the training required of the deputies. The pricetag for bringing in Bill Richey for training each year is $2500. Like all other items associated with the Mounted Unit budget, no tax dollars are used. They are completely self-sufficient financially, with costs coming either out of pocket from each member or from fundraising events that they organize.
Calhoun County is fortunate to have a Mounted Unit. Currently, approximately only ⅓ of Michigan’s counties have this luxury. To have a mounted patrol presence for various events in our county has been something that many in the law enforcement sector appreciate. Having longevity for 50 years has allowed the Mounted Unit to evolve over time while having a continual cycle of veteran Mounted Unit deputies and those new to law enforcement, working together and learning from one another. Calhoun County's most experienced mounted deputy, Bill Bammer, served the community for 47 years in this role from 1976 to 2023. He reflected on his years of service. “The Mounted Unit initially started in Calhoun County for a couple of reasons. Horseback patrol at the Calhoun County Fair was one of the initial needs, but having a mounted patrol to help with search and rescue was probably an even bigger need.” You can still see the Mounted Unit out at the county fair each summer, assisting the Sheriff’s Department. Other events where their presence is common include local parades and other community events. Bammer talked about some of the other huge gatherings they have been called to over the years. “We helped with crowd control when the KKK held a rally in Hillsdale back in 1995. We also assisted with crowd control on the campaign trail when Donald Trump came to Battle Creek in 2020, and in 2004 when George W. Bush was in town.” Enjoying the time on horseback may have been part of why Bammer stayed on for so long, but he explained how this wasn’t his main calling card. “I continued as a member of the Mounted Unit for so many years because I have always felt that the service that we provide is important.”
The common theme for why the Mounted Unit’s current group of deputies invests of their time is centered around the opportunity of weaving a passion for horses into providing a positive support for the community. Kathy Fischer, who is in her second full year as a Mounted Unit deputy, reflected on why being a part of this group is important to her. “It has been something for me to do in this stage of my life that I enjoy. I love being able to support our community and create a positive image of law enforcement for kids, in particular. It is a job that we take seriously, but we also have a lot of fun.” Husband and wife, Angie Solomon and Steve Funk, who reside in Hastings, have shared their passion for being a part of a Mounted Unit for many years. They have been a part of Calhoun County’s Mounted Unit since 2022. “Both Steve and I were with the Eaton County Mounted Unit for seven years,” Angie said. “They disbanded in 2019, but Steve and I really wanted to continue working as mounted deputies, so we decided to apply to Calhoun County. Being a prior law enforcement officer, I have seen some of the negative perceptions that the public has of law enforcement. Horses help to bridge the gap with this perception.”
“I am a retired firefighter for Delta Township,” Steve added. “Both Angie and I also currently volunteer for the Freeport Fire Department. We enjoy volunteering our time for a good cause. Being a part of the Mounted Unit is a way to give back. When you can give back to the community with a horse, it makes the experience better.”
The Mounted Unit will be out at the Calhoun County Fair again this year, celebrating its 50th year of serving Calhoun County. You can see them as they patrol or by stopping by their booth in the Merchant’s Building for more information about what they do.
No comments:
Post a Comment