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MOUNTED LAW ENFORCEMENT INSTRUCTOR COURSE

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Course Description

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This course is designed for law enforcement officers and civilians who have completed at least a 40-hour Basic Mounted Law Enforcement or Civilian Posse Training Course, who have the desire to instruct others on the many aspects of mounted law enforcement and civilian equestrian support.  All participants who successfully complete the course will be presented with a Certificate of Attendance, but only those who have successfully completed a general instructor techniques course that is recognized in their respective state will receive a Mounted Law Enforcement Instructor Certificate through our course.

 

It is not the purpose of this course to make you a master in equitation, but rather to prepare you to objectively assess the riding abilities of your students to determine suitability for public service.  It will be your responsibility as your Unit's instructor to arrange for quality equitation instruction for those who need it.

 

This course will help prepare you to objectively assess the suitability of a horse for public service.  It will teach you the proper method to present obstacles to desensitize and condition your horse for stimuli that it is likely to encounter in public service.

 

Utilizing the general Instructor Techniques skills that you already possess, students in this course will take an active role of instructing certain portions of the class both in and out of the classroom.

 

Our courses are insured and all instruction is supervised by graduates of the University of Louisville - Southern Police Institute's Mounted Law Enforcement Instructor Course.

 

Who Should Attend

 

This course is intended for law enforcement officers and civilians who have completed at least a recognized 40-hour Basic Mounted Law Enforcement or Civilian Posse Training Course through their agency or organization, (or equivalent training through a reputable mounted law enforcement training program), who have the desire to instruct others on the many aspects of mounted law enforcement and civilian equestrian support.  Although not required, it is recommended that each student have already attended a general instructor techniques course that is recognized in their respective state.

 

Participants should already have a superior understanding of horsemanship fundamentals and possess riding skills that are above a beginner or basic level: The ability to ride a horse at a walk, trot and canter from point to point without veering off course; to stop; back and turn the horse.  The rider and horse should be able to perform basic lateral movements, i.e. turn on the haunches and forehand, side-pass and leg-yield.  Although not required, it is preferred that the horse and rider have previous experience in mounted law enforcement operations or posse functions.

 

Note:  If you have not yet completed a Basic Course, contact Suncoast Equine for our course schedules.  If you have not already attended a general instructor techniques course, contact your training unit, or local college or university to inquire about the course.

 

The course is considered by some to be somewhat physically challenging.  Participant should be in reasonably good health and without any physical or medical condition that could be worsened by the activities of the class, or that might otherwise create a risk to the participant or others.  Students should be able to communicate clearly and effectively.

 

Curriculum

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This course's curriculum consists of classroom instruction, as well as practical training both on and off horseback to include:

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  • A review of general instructor techniques.

  • In-depth discussion of mounted law enforcement and civilian support organizations.

  • Developing, administering and maintaining a professional equestrian law enforcement program. 

  • In-depth discussion on your role and responsibilities as an instructor for your Unit or organization.

  • Discussion on the necessity of initial and on-going training, as well as the design of such training.

  • Discussion on the necessity to establish, maintain and and adhere to standards for mounted personnel and their horses.

  • Liability.

  • In-depth understanding of the inherent characteristics, anatomy, senses and behaviors of horses.

  • In-depth instruction on how to properly present obstacles to horses to condition them to stimuli that it is  likely to encounter in public service.

  • Horse health, common injuries and illnesses, first aid treatments and preventative care.

  • Transportation of horses.

  • Ground handling.

  • An overview of stable management.

  • In-depth discussion on tack and understanding the various types of bits and how they should be used in the various stages of training and to correct certain issues.

  • Understanding how to objectively assess the riding abilities of students to determine suitability for public service; and arranging for proper instruction by a qualified equitation instructor for those you need it.

  • The patrol function for both sworn and non-sworn riders.

  • In-depth discussion on the Do's and Don'ts while on patrol.

  • In-depth discussion on accident prevention and safety while on patrol.

  • Response to Resistance / Use of Force while on horseback.

  • Self defense techniques for both sworn and non-sworn personnel on horseback.

  • Gunfire training, traffic stops, vehicle and suspect approaches, arrest procedures, searches of persons and handcuffing all from horseback for sworn mounted personnel.

  • Escorting persons and vehicles.

  • The do's and dont's of pursuing while on horseback.

  • Traffic direction.

  • Basic formation riding, and tactical formations with simulated passive and aggressive crowds.

  • In-depth understanding of mounted support for crowd management.

  • Overview of mounted search and rescue operations.

 

 

Location

 

Due to numerous requests from agencies for us to offer this course at their respective locations, Suncoast Equine no longer conducts this course at its facility in Webster, Florida, however, we are happy to bring this course to you.

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