Hooves on the Ground: A look inside Wilmington’s mounted unit

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Last week, the city of Wilmington asked all departments to review their budgets and identify potential areas to cut costs. One option under consideration from the Wilmington Police Department involves its Mounted Patrol Unit.

The unit has been part of the department since the 1980s. It began when Officer John Winecoff, who was on foot patrol at the time, decided to bring his personal horse downtown.

“It was a hit from the beginning, and at that point is really when we started establishing a lot of community support for the program,” Officer Jason Watts said.

Today, the unit includes four officers and five horses. It still maintains a regular presence at public events and in neighborhoods throughout the city.

“Romeo and Willie, they ride together — they are partners — and Ranger and Comet,” Watts said, naming four of the horses in the unit.

Mounted officers are commonly deployed in areas where visibility is important, such as downtown Wilmington, concerts, city events, and select neighborhoods. Watts said the horses not only help deter crime but also help connect officers with the public.

“You got people coming out of the house, you know, people looking through the blinds, stopping the lawn mower, pulling over — so it just generates a lot of interest, and I just think that resonates with the community,” he said.

According to officers, prior horse experience is not required to join the unit. Each member receives training, including Officer Brian Colver, who has been with the team for nearly two years and rides Willie.

“It’s around the clock. Even on our days off, you know, we are coming in to feed and care for ‘em, cuz we’ve gotta make sure that they are healthy and they have a good demeanor going into it — just to make our job a little easier,” Colver said.

The unit often attracts attention from residents and tourists alike.

“Very rare somebody walks by and doesn’t ask to either pet or take a picture,” Colver said. “A lot of people from out of town always say, ‘Hey, we don’t have this back home. We never see this. This is so cool and unique.’ And then it always garners more conversation.”

As for when to spot them? Watts says the horses tend to work more evening shifts during the hot summer months and shift to daytime patrols in the winter.