Presence of officers on horseback boosts public trust
Patrols have been widely receiving the thumbs up from residents, who normally take out a few minutes of their time to interact with both the officers and their horses, happily snap photographs of the patrollers and post them on social media platforms to express their appreciation.
If the reaction of Boksburg residents is anything to go by, the presence of mounted unit patrollers in the streets of Boksburg is certainly helping to boost the level of public trust and confidence in the police.
As part of neighbourhood patrols and crime-combating efforts, the SAPS Ekurhuleni Mounted Unit periodically assigns its members to carry out patrols in Boksburg.
After examining the reaction of members of the public on social media platforms, the Advertiser recently caught up with a pair of horseback police officers to find out more about their daily duties as well as the role of the unit in combating crime in the city.
Const Ancel Morgenrood and WO Liezl Moolman, normally assigned to patrol the streets of Boksburg on horseback, said they enjoy their job, and the casual interactions with the public and feedback from community members are most fulfilling.
They added that it shows the communities are thrilled to see them, satisfied with the useful service they deliver and their presence make the public feel safe.
“Whenever we patrol in the communities, people make friendly gestures and ask us questions. These help us to pick up information and hear their cries for help,” said Morgenrood.
According to Morgenrood, in most instances the horse acts as the ice-breaker for the police in the communities as people always want to come up and pet the horse, talk to them and share the problems they’re having in the neighbourhoods.
Explaining advantages to patrolling on horseback, Morgenrood said the unique role mounted units had in neighbourhood policing includes reach and respond to situations where police in vehicles can’t get to or would prove ineffective. Patrolling on horseback allows them a bird’s-eye view of most situations and it also makes them more approachable to the public.
Meanwhile, Moolman, who will this year mark two decades as a member of the unit, said their unit has been effective in being an invaluable tool in preventing crime in Boksburg and across the province. She is also involved in training new members.
The two said they sometimes find themselves in the province’s most dangerous crime hot spots. They were asked as to how they normally deal with the feeling of being women alone in a dangerous zone.
Moolman admitted that they sometimes know they are entering a dangerous zone, but they always do what they are supposed to do.
“Look, both the horses and officers go through extensive training before hitting the streets. We also trust each other and we are always ready to deal with a dangerous situations. If we feel that it’s beyond our power we call for backup.
“This is how it works. It’s our job, we can’t avoid it,” said Moolman.
The pair said they would be more than happy to spend most of their days patrolling in Boksburg, but they are daily being utilised to patrol or work in different areas all over the province, not just Boksburg.
The East Rand is the primary focus of the unit, but periodically the mounted unit is given assignments to work in areas that are having particular crime issues in a specific neighbourhood, all over Gauteng.
They are usually seen galloping in pairs, but during major events they ride in groups and conduct crowd control in places such as at big festivals and football matches.
According to East Rand Mounted Unit leader Capt Urian Diamonds, his unit has repeatedly proven its usefulness by the favourable results it has produced in the communities it serves.
“We appreciate the positive and constructive suggestions from the communities we serve,” he said.
Diamonds previously pointed out that their policing strategy is made of a philosophy that combines old-fashioned aspects of law enforcement with community engagement, community partnerships, prevention measures and problem-solving.
