Ottawa Police Service introduces horses for the new Mounted Unit

The Ottawa Police Service shows off two horses for its new Mounted Unit on Tuesday. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa)

The Ottawa Police Service showed off two new horses Tuesday afternoon, as the service deploys a Mounted Unit for the first time in 30 years.

Chief Eric Stubbs and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe launched the new Mounted Unit at the Ottawa Police Service’s headquarters on Elgin Street, which will assist police with demonstrations, “police visibility in the urban areas” and search operations.

Police say the unit will pair trained officers with Clydesdale horses “selected for their strength, intelligence and calm demeanor.”

“This soft launch marks a key milestone in the Unit’s phased rollout, which will see mounted officers deployed across Ottawa over the coming months,” police said in a media release.

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The first four horses were scheduled to arrive in Ottawa this spring, with four more horses joining the Mounted Unit later this year or early in 2026.

The Ottawa Police Service’s 2025 budget said the Mounted Patrol Unit “strengthens public trust, promotes safety, and enhances operational flexibility.”

“The Mounted Patrol Unit provides unique advantages in both crowd control and community engagement,” police said.

“Mounted officers not only serve as a visible crime deterrent and foster positive police-community relations but also play a critical role in specialized operations. Research has shown that officers on horseback are more effective in search and rescue missions, locating evidence and missing persons more quickly. This efficiency minimizes potential harm to individuals and reduces the number of officers needed to complete searches.”

Stubbs has previously called the Mounted Unit a “game changer” for the service, saying, “one horse can equate to 10 to 12 officers.”

The 2025 Ottawa Police Service budget outlines the plan to spend $1.4 million a year for three years to launch the new Mounted Patrol Unit. Funding from the Ontario and federal governments will cover the $4.2 million cost over three years for the unit.

There will be eight officers and one civilian in the Mounted Unit. Officers spent four weeks at the RCMP stables for training, and the Toronto Police Service offered 15 weeks of training for officers.

Sutcliffe says the mounted unit will help make the city safer but could also appeal to visitors.

“It’s going to be very appealing for kids and families, for tourists, but also it’s a tool that the police can use in some very specific circumstances to help manage crowds and help make the city safer and more secure for everyone,” Sutcliffe said.

Many ByWard Market business owners had been calling on the city to increase its police presence in the area, with many worried about growing crime.

“The market has always suffered from a bit of a perception issue when it comes to crime and negative perceptions of it. I think anything to help reinforce that it is a safe place. It’s a great place to do business,” said assistant manager of The King Eddy, Johnny Bonney.

Residents and tourists were happy to see the new approach to patrols.

“I love horses and it would just add something to the market,” said resident Jean Tanguay.

Resident Anna Westlund added: “I feel like they’ve done a pretty good job of having a large police presence in the market. I don’t know if horses would make me feel any more or less secure, but I think it would be nice.”

The Ottawa Police Service last had a Mounted Unit in 1993, used mainly for ceremonial duties.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Dave Charbonneau