A year ago, the Geneva cantonal police launched its equestrian brigade. A similar experience had been attempted almost 30 years ago. She had been abandoned for lack of means. This time, the mounted police are determined to invest for the future.
In one year, the equestrian brigade made more than 300 hours of patrol and carried out more than 140 checks. She participated in several events, including the climbing procession.
Being visible and accessible is the key word of this new section. Citizens have initiated the discussion with the riders almost 700 times.
These results prompted the cantonal police to invest more. At the start of the year, she bought a fourth horse. A cost of approximately 20,000 francs, the Somme brings together the animal’s purchase and pension costs. Currently in training, it will be operational in the coming months.
In Geneva, these police officers attract the attention of passers -by, but according to the cantonal police, it is more than a tourist attraction. “We are very effective during demonstrations and crowd management. The police, in height, can see above the crowd, identify the security problems, intervene and provide information,” said in the morning Stéphane Hide, the head of the equestrian brigade.
Four riders soon on patrol
Geneva is the only canton in Switzerland to have a brigade with its own equines. For Stéphane Hide, it is a justified financial choice: “Visually, we have the impact of three-four police officers depending on the circumstances. For visibility work, if we can replace the human workforce to keep it for more specific missions, as much to take animals which will be cheaper”.
In a few months, two pairs of riders will be able to patrol simultaneously. In Switzerland, only the cantons of Bern and Jura also have a mounted police, but it works on a militia system with horses rented for specific missions from the national equestrian center.
Sujet Radio: Gianluca Agosta
Adaptation web: Miroslav Mares
