Mounted Posse

The Carver County Sheriff's Mounted Posse is now accepting applications ... You will need to fill out both the CCSO Application and the Carver County general application to be considered. Return both forms to: Lt. Dave Williams |  606 East Fourth St  |  Chaska MN 55318-2102

Posse does well at 2011 Wadena Clinic

     

A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE POSSE FOR WORKING OVER 3,000 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER TIME IN 2011!  CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VIEW THE POSSE ARTICLE FROM THE MAY 18 STAR/TRIBUNE

Training

Members and their horses must pass "Sensory Training" each spring.  The training involves an obstacle course that exposes the horse and rider to many situations that are normally frightening to horses, such as gun firing, pulling an injured person on a sled, going over bridges, water obstacles, etc.  The horses and riders must also pass an equitation test, which involves basic maneuvers on horseback, such as walking, trotting and cantering at a controlled pace, taking the correct lead at a canter, side passing in both directions, turning on the forehand and turning on the haunches.

In addition to Sensory Training, Posse members attend multiple training sessions throughout the year, both mounted and un-mounted.  Some examples are police radio training, CPR and first aid, and risk management.  Click here to see the Posse Training Schedule  .

Becoming a Member

Currently, there are 30 volunteer members of the Carver County Sheriff's Mounted Posse.  The Posse always welcomes new members.  It is required that members have the use of a horse and means to transport it.  It is not required that they live in Carver County.  Those who are interested are encouraged to attend one of the Posse's monthly meetings, which are on the second Monday of each month.

For more information, contact the Sheriff's Office at (952) 361-1212.

Member Profiles

We periodically do member profiles to highlight the great volunteers who are the Carver County Sheriff's Office Mounted Posse.

Established in 1965, the Carver County Sheriff's Mounted Posse is a volunteer organization that assists the Sheriff's Office with security and crowd control, search and rescue operations, community relations and outreach activities, as well as special missions as assigned.

The Posse consists of approximately 30 volunteers who provide service to the Carver County community.

Activities

Some examples of the kind of service the Posse provides are:

Security and crowd control
These services are performed primarily on horseback and sometimes on foot.  Some examples are:

• City patrols throughout Carver County
• Security at the Carver County Fair, Stiftungsfest, Winstock and Screamtown
• Park patrol at Minnewashta, Baylor and Carver County Park in Waconia
• Patrol at various community events and concerts

Search and Rescue
The Posse is a valuable resource for search and rescue operations, as horses are able to venture into terrain that is otherwise not easily accessible.

Outreach
On behalf of the Sheriff's Office, Posse members visit schools and teach kids about our work.  The Posse also visits neighborhoods during National Night Out, and similar community events.

Parades
The Posse represents the Sheriff's Office in many parades throughout the summer, for example: 

• Steamboat Days in September
• Several 4th of July parades throughout the area
• Carver County Fair Parade

Downloads

• Posse Brochure

The Making of the Posse Horse

Horses provide law enforcement agencies with a unique combination of authority and approachability.  While they have command presence that can move a crowd quickly and efficiently, they also generate social interaction like nothing else can in the Sheriff's Office.

Horses are one of the most perceptive mammals on earth, with memory capacities that are second only to that of elephants.  By nature, they are prey animals and have a strong instinct of flight.  Confronted with situations that are perceived as a threat, the horse's first reaction is to escape.  At the same time, they are herd animals that feel comfortable and protected as part of a larger herd.  All of these things are taken into account during Mounted Posse Training sessions.  To work through their natural fear - toleration everything from sirens to fireworks and baby strollers to barking dogs - Posse horses need to trust their rider above all else.  They must also work well with other horses, and be people-oriented animals, with a calm and willing nature and a desire to please.