Monterey County Sheriff's
Mounted Unit formed in 2000
The Unit was originally formed to search for lost people.
A secondary mission is representing the Sheriff's Office at public relations activities.
The Mounted Unit is providing trail assistance at County parks - first aid, directions etc.

May 2009 Wildflower festival at Lake San Antonio

We are seeking "active" members that have the time, energy and interest required...
Download Application (.doc format)


Current members photo gallery

Purpose and objectives

The Monterey County Sheriff Mounted Unit is a mounted horse unit with citizen volunteers and Sheriff's sworn personnel. The unit consists of private citizens who have organized, under the guidance of the Monterey County Sheriff's Department for the purpose of assisting the Sheriff where horses might be used in a variety of situations.

Tax deductible donations may be made to support the Mounted Unit.
Send your check payable to:
Monterey County Sheriff's Advisory Council
Please note on the check that it is for the "Mounted Unit"
and mail it to
Monterey County Sheriff's Mounted Unit
17595 Vierra Cyn Rd PMB #172
Salinas, CA 93907

Few activities attract the attention or gain the community support as the use of horses. Mounted Unit personnel will strive to leave each citizen contact with a positive impression of the Mounted Unit and the Monterey County Sheriff's Department. Mounted Unit personnel shall embrace the Community Policing philosophy

The Mounted Unit requires a lot more training than actual response to emergencies.
We seeking "active" members that have the time, energy and interest required...

Regular Membership Requirements

Members of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department Mounted Search Unit shall be governed through the Sheriff’s Office. Applications for membership shall be forwarded through the Sheriff’s Office. Requirements for regular membership are as follows:
  • Be a citizen of the United States of America
  • Be twenty-one (21) years of age.
  • Be of good character and reputation (as determined by passing the Sheriff’s Office background investigation).
  • Have a valid California driver’s license and proof of liability insurance.
  • Have a twelfth (12th) grade education or G.E.D. equivalent.
  • Pay annual dues of $50.00, renewed each year by June 30. (The $50 application fee/dues payment is required when you submit your application.) Not eveyone who applies will pass the required background and horse qualification requirement.
  • Maintain current CPR and First Aid certification.
  • Maintain qualification for self and equine, saddle and tack, and transportation for said animal.
  • Attend search and rescue related training.
  • Conform to the policies and procedures of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department.

    • Mounted Unit members must provide their own horse, transportation and tack. Members should keep in mind that not all horses are appropriate for search or enforcement duties.

    1. Quarter Horses geldings are preferred. Other breeds, such as Paints, Arabians, Thoroughbreds, Paso's and Mustangs may be acceptable. Stallions are not acceptable.
    2. The Mounted Unit Coordinator will evaluate all horses and their riders for suitability.

    2007-2008 Officers & Sheriff's Office sworn personnel

    MU Officers/Board
    Heather Peacock, President
    Knute Brekke, Secretary/Treasurer     		Sworn personnel involved with the Mounted Unit
    Cmdr Ed Lorenzana
    Sgt. Ron Willis, Sheriff's Office Coordinator

    Meetings/Functions/Training Opportunities/Call-Outs
    Parades & Searches - wear your MSU uniform (not the MU t-shirt)
    Date/time/location subject to change - check here for updates or contact Knute or Ron to confirm.

    2009 Tentative schedule subject to change
    Jan 102009 Qualifications Make-Up/Second Horse - Toro Park
    Jan 31Holiday Party (Ron's house)
    Mar 14Search for missing 82 yr old male John Hauswirth - meet at hwy 68 entrance to Pebble Beach at 8 AM.
    Four members responded to the call out: Deb, Janice, Jim, and Heather. The Mounted Unit was assigned three fairly large search areas in Pebble Beach. Due to the thick vegetation, we mostly searched the trails and fire roads in our search areas. We began searching at around 9:30 and finished up our areas around 3 p.m. We were unable to locate the victim. We filled out debrief forms and were dismissed. The search was called off later that afternoon.
    Mar 15Toro Park Trail Assistance Ride. - Cancelled because of Saturday search.
    March 19King City Farm Days Setup begins at 8:00 at the KC Fairgrounds. Kids tour from 8:45 to 12:30. Lunch will be served.
    Please wear your parade uniform. Riders: Janice & Meg. Groundcrew: Heather.

    click on photo to enlarge
    April 4Pacific Grove Parade??
    Apr 24-26Joint training with SLO Posse's Spring Training at Lake San Antonio.
    May 1, 2, 3Wildflower Weekend at Lake San Antonio (Scheduled to work Debbie, Meg, Floyd, Wendy, Ron, Heather)
    May 25Toro Park Ride (Memorial Day) Meet at Bessie Canyon Parking Area at 10:30. Uniform will be dark blue jeans and a uniform shirt. We probably will be doing mostly PR in the picnic areas.
    June 13MU Training (topic First Aid) The training has been postponed due to lack of manikins.
    June 28Toro Park Trail Assistance Ride
    July 4Toro Park Ride (4th of July, Parade Uniform)
    July 18Salinas Rodeo Parade??
    July 25MU Training (topic First Aid) tentative date
    August 16MU Family Fun Ride (location TBD)
    September 14nominations open
    September 20Toro Park Trail Assistance Ride
    September 28nominations close
    October 5Elections (mail ballot postmarked by this date)
    October 16Prunedale Fall Carnival
    October 18Qualifications

    History - prior years activities, searches etc

    last update - 6/12/2009 10:05:14 AM

          Visitors since Aug 1, 2002