San Jose City Council
September 16, 2025

4.1 Reinstatement of the San
José Police Department
Horse Mounted Unit
A proposal with the San José Police Foundation to restore a century-old tradition of excellence in community policing
Paul Joseph, Chief of Police, San José Police Department Brian Shab, Assistant Chief of Police, San José Police Department 1 A Proud History of Mounted Policing
1 1911
San Jose's Horse Mounted Unit established, becoming one of the first mounted police units in California
2 1918-2017
Over a century of distinguished service to the community, building trust and enhancing public safety
3 2018
HMU disbanded due to fiscal and staffing constraints, with equipment and horses surplused
4 2025
Proposed reinstatement as a collateral, part-time operation to enhance Downtown presence
2 The Opportunity: Restoring a Vital Resource
The Police Department seeks to reinstate the HMU as a
part-time operation to:
• Increase uniformed police presence Downtown
• Enhance enforcement capabilities for nuisance and
low-level crimes
• Strengthen community-police relationships
• Fill six additional walking beats per week through
volunteer officers
3 Funding Request: One-Time Investment
$390,000
Initial Equipment
6 horses, 2 trucks, 2 trailers,
uniforms, and initial training
$31,000
First-Year Care
Feed, veterinary services, farrier
services, and stable maintenance
$0
Personnel Costs
Covered by existing Police Department
overtime budget for walking beats
The Foundation is being asked to fund initial costs only, with no request or expectation for ongoing expenditures as part of this specific request. 4 “Ambassadors of Goodwill”
Increased Visibility
Officers on horseback have an
elevated line of sight, allowing
them to observe a broader area
and serve as a visible deterrent
Enhanced Community
Engagement
Horses naturally attract positive
attention and facilitate
conversations, making mounted
officers uniquely effective at
relationship-building
Greater Mobility and Reach
Mounted officers can traverse areas more quickly than officers on foot while remaining approachable at street level
5 Implementation Plan
Phase 1: Initial Launch
Fund smaller number of
horses/officers/tack and a single
truck and trailer ($150,000-
$200,000) within first few months
Phase 2: Full Implementation
Complete the project to the ultimate
fundraising goal over the rest of the
year to August 2026
Phase 3:Operational Model
24 volunteer officers creating 6
mounted shifts per week
(2 officers × 3 days)
The existing stables have already been renovated/refurbished and are ready for horses. 6 Restoring a Legacy of Excellence
1 Unique Opportunity
Restore a century-old tradition
with minimal impact to the General
Fund
2 Dual Benefits
Enhanced enforcement and
strengthened community
relationships
3 Lasting Impact
Create a visible symbol of San
Jose's commitment to innovative
policing
Together, we can bring back the Horse Mounted Unit and write the next chapter in its storied history 7 Questions?
8