The Cavalry Unit of the National Police of Madrid patrols during the Fair by the Segura River and by the garden of the Malecón in Murcia
‘Sentinel’ maintains a firm, upright, commanding trot. It has a strong structure, with harmonious and imposing lines, fibrous and firm legs and a medium volume, typical of a colt that is beginning to reach maturity. She’s only been on street patrol for two months, but she’s done with it. He is relaxed by the speck of the river, at the height of the Murcia Parque auditorium and, at one point, he raises his ears as he passes near the patio of a school where young students play at recess.
“The noise activates him,” says police officer José Luis García, his rider. The agent chose to be part of the Cavalry Unit of the National Police for love of horses and because that feeling comes from family tradition. “My grandfather and my father belonged to this unit,” he says. He and ‘Sentinel’ are part of the squad of six agents from Madrid, who have been patrolling the streets of Murcia since last Thursday, specifically along the Segura River and the Malecón garden. Other places where they perform services are around the bullring and in the Moors and Christians parade last Saturday. Its mission is, fundamentally, prevention and mass control.
«Our position in height is a point of reference, both for the citizen who requires our help and for the control of citizen security, since we observe situations that the companions on foot do not see, such as a robbery, a couple’s argument. .. », exposes the officer José Ángel García. The resolution of an altercation when they intervene is immediate. “Imagine that two 500 kilo animals are chasing you at a gallop. No matter how bad you are, in the end you stop, there is no escape.
«Our position in height is a point of reference for the citizen who requires our help»
Just as the image of the horse is friendly in a relaxed environment, in a tense situation, it is an animal that intimidates anyone. The presence of equines is essential in large concentrations, public and sports events, in security devices, restoration of citizen security or surveillance and control in the urban area and in unique areas of difficult access for other operations, such as parks, beaches, fringe environments. “In Madrid, we patrol a lot through the town of Cañada Real, for example,” says the officer.
The Cavalry always works together with colleagues from the citizen security units, such as the Prevention and Reaction Unit (UPR) or the Police Intervention Unit (UIP). This coordination is evident in situations of special violence, such as soccer match events classified as high risk. “In Champions League matches, when we transfer the ultras, we surround the group and, when any problem arises, just by approaching and placing ourselves next to the exalted, the spirits relax again, it’s automatic.”
In those tense situations, the agent is equipped with a helmet, a bulletproof vest or anti-trauma, depending on the situation. The horse’s head is covered with a mask and some protectors are placed on its legs. For those stressful situations, they are trained with detonations, gases, smoke, firecrackers, flares, obstacles or any other circumstance that may arise in hostile environments.
The oldest unit
Cavalry is the oldest branch of the Police, with almost 200 years of history. In fact, its origin dates back to 1825, just 3 years after the birth of the General Police of the Kingdom, the first antecedent of the National Police.
That year a Cavalry Regiment called Celadores Reales was created, to “avoid robberies and outrages that, in his case, were executed”.
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