Monterey County Mounted Unit

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.

October 18, 2009 qualification Toro Park
Current members photo gallery
We are seeking "active" members that have the time, energy and interest required... Download Application (.doc format)

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.

The Mounted Unit has the responsibility to assist in the search of lost, missing and injured persons.
The Mounted Unit may represent the Sheriff's Deptment in parades and other Public Relations activities.
The Mounted Unit may also be assigned other patrol and crowd control missions at the direction of the Sheriff or his designee. However, non peace officer members of the mounted unit shall not exercise the authority or perform any of the duties of a peace officer.

Tax deductible donations may be made to support the Mounted Unit.
Send your check payable to:
Monterey County Sheriff's Advisory Council
412 S. Main St.
Salinas, CA 93901
Please note on the check that it is for the "Mounted Unit"

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.

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

It should be noted that in addition to the annual dues, members are required to pay for and maintain their own uniforms and equipment and pay their own expenses which can cost several hundred dollars per year.
Members are expected to attend numerous meetings and training functions through the year. Members are expected to attend and participate in a minimun of 50% of scheduled meetings/trainings. Members not meeting this requirement will be reviewed by the Board. This is a working unit, not a social riding club.
If you are interested in more information, contact Sgt. Ron Willis or the President.

2009-2010 Officers & Sheriff's Office sworn personnel

Mounted Unit Officers/Board
Wendy Brekke, President
Debra Hawkins, Secretary/Treasurer

Sworn personnel involved with the Mounted Unit
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
October 18, 2009 2009-2010 Qualifications - 10 AM Toro Park equestrian area click here for photos
October 31 La Mesa military housing at NPS. Janice, Meg on horseback and Floyd was ground person. SAR ground, K-9, crime prevention, presidio fire, monterey fire, presidio police, CHP, Coast guard. Around 1000 kids and adults - it was a halloween safety fair for the military community.
Click on photo to enlarge

Dec 19 2010 qualification make up or qualify on a 2nd horse. Toro Park 10 AM

2010 Tentative schedule subject to change
January 16th Holiday party @ The Huggins
February 4th Farm Days, Salinas
February 20th Training Day
March: 11th Farm Days King City
April: 23, 24, 25th Multi-Agency Training, Lake San Antonio
April 30th Wildflower Triathlon, Lake San Antonio
May 1st, 2nd Wildflower Triathlon, Lake San Antonio
May 31st Toro Park
June: 19th Training Day
July: 17th & 18th Salinas Rodeo Parade
July 31st Toro Park
August: 15th Fun Ride Salinas Beach
Sept: 13th Nominations open
Sept 19th Park Ride (Park location TBD)
Sept 27th Nominations close
Oct: 15th Prunedale Elementary Carnival
Oct 17th Qualifications

2009
October 18, 2009	2009-2010 Qualifications - 10 AM Toro Park equestrian area click here for photos
October 31	La Mesa military housing at NPS. Janice, Meg on horseback and Floyd was ground person. SAR ground, K-9, crime prevention, presidio fire, monterey fire, presidio police, CHP, Coast guard. Around 1000 kids and adults - it was a halloween safety fair for the military community. Click on photo to enlarge
Dec 19	2010 qualification make up or qualify on a 2nd horse. Toro Park 10 AM
2010	Tentative schedule subject to change
January 16th	Holiday party @ The Huggins
February 4th	Farm Days, Salinas
February 20th	Training Day
March: 11th	Farm Days King City
April: 23, 24, 25th	Multi-Agency Training, Lake San Antonio
April 30th	Wildflower Triathlon, Lake San Antonio
May 1st, 2nd	Wildflower Triathlon, Lake San Antonio
May 31st	Toro Park
June: 19th	Training Day
July: 17th & 18th	Salinas Rodeo Parade
July 31st	Toro Park
August: 15th	Fun Ride Salinas Beach
Sept: 13th	Nominations open
Sept 19th	Park Ride (Park location TBD)
Sept 27th	Nominations close
Oct: 15th	Prunedale Elementary Carnival
Oct 17th	Qualifications