By Dale Castle
Northeast News
March 25, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — The narrow, one lane road with a two foot tall limestone wall on one side gently snakes its way up a gradual slope. The trees lining either side form a canopy across the road that makes it feel like a covered bridge of sorts. The country like scene continues as the road spills into a large open area of seven acres. The first thing that grabs your attention is a very large, beautiful, sixteen stall horse stable. A trip around the back of the stable reveals several fine looking geldings enjoying the cold day in a huge fenced in area surrounded by towering stands of timber that were probably around when they built the ancient Tom Pendergast hunting lodge on the east side of the property.

When the double wide door to the stable slid open I was greeted by Officer Travis Hennegin and the pleasant aroma of fresh pine shavings.

“This is the home of the Kansas City Mounted Patrol.” he said as he shook my hand.

Incredible photos of the Mounted Patrol and horses from many decades ago hung on beautiful tongue and groove knotty pine walls through out the impressive structure. The unit started back in the late 1800’s, when horses were a common way to get around and shut down on Labor Day of 1929 when horses became too expensive compared to motorcycles. The unit consisted of 45 officers when it ended.

Seventy seven years later, the Mounties found new life.

“It started back up in 2006,” Hennegin said. “More of a public relations type of thing. Kind of like the D.A.R.E and PAL programs. It was a good way to get exposure to city kids. A lot of them had never seen a horse.”

There are currently six officers and one sergeant in the unit. I found it strange that there was no heat in the building where the horses stay, but there’s a good reason for that. They have to become acclimated to the weather so it won’t affect them when they go on patrol which is every day unless the temperatures are below 25 or above 95 degrees.

I’ve never owned a horse, but I’m sure they’re quite expensive to buy, feed and take care of. It must be difficult for the police department to come up with the money to pay for all that.

“We’re very lucky,” Hennegin said. “All our horses have been donated by various people. They come from many different back grounds. Some have experience in cowboy events, barrel racing, and horse shows while some have no experience. The nonprofit organization, Friends of the Kansas City Mounted Patrol, pay for everything. They are what keeps us going. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be here.”

Heated water in each stall, specialty foods along with grain and visits from Chiropractor Emily Long and equine massage therapist Rhonda Martin, who donate all their time, and four hour work day makes for a pretty good life.

“We have to get the horses ready in the morning, load them in the trailers and take them to where the patrols will be that day,” Hennegin said. “They have to be cleaned up and fed at the end of the day. We also need time to do all the maintenance on the building, fix the fences and clean the stables.”

Each officer is assigned a horse so they can get used to working together. Depending on what the horse has done prior to it being donated, it can take from six weeks to three months to be trained. After training is completed, each horse is given the name of an officer that has died in the line of duty for the Kansas City Police Dept.

Officer Hennegin, a seven year police veteran transferred to the Mounties three years ago. He grew up on a farm where he gained valuable experience riding horses, but some of the men have never ridden before. If you have what it takes, an in house trainer will make a rider out of you. Currently, there are about fifteen officers on a list waiting for a chance to join the unit.

“I love the change of environment,” Hennegin said. “You get more interaction with citizens from a personal level. I plan to be here until I can’t get on a horse anymore.”

Most of the areas patrolled are in the inner city core. It’s not unusual to see two officers on horse back riding up Independence Avenue, Hardesty or other streets in Northeast Kansas City. One horse is estimated to be equivalent to twelve officers on foot when it comes time to move a crowd. Just the fact that a 1,300 pound horse is standing next to them is usually enough to get them to disperse. Their usefulness certainly doesn’t end there. They can go between houses, down alleys, backyards, woods and parks, where many illegal activities take place. It’s very easy to spot vin numbers on cars and see if the column has been popped from high atop a horse.

I asked officer Hennegin if he ever dives off his horse to grab a suspect.

“Not at all,” Hennigin said said. “They’re normally out of a breath and tired from running when we catch up to them and ready to give up. We try to do everything while mounted on the horse. If they are standing up you simply hand cuff them. If I’m on the horse I have complete control of him. If I’m on the ground and have the reins in one hand I’m only controlling his head and nothing else. I would have to hand the reins to my partner which turns it into a one on one situation since he has to control both horses.”

I asked how the horses help with public relations.

“When you cruise through a neighborhood in a patrol car most people will go in their house,” Hennegin replied. “When you’re riding a horse, people will go in their house for a few seconds and come back out with their kids to see the horses and pet them. Before you know it they will tell us about so and so down the street.”

Three trucks and trailers are used to move the horses from one area to another. The Mounties do a lot of public talks at schools and block parties. Two shifts during the summer keeps the unit pretty busy. They patrol until 11 p.m.

Every other year two of the Mounties get to spend two weeks in Canada riding and training with the Royal Canadian Mounted Patrol. Officer Hennegin went two years ago and absolutely loved it.

Seventy seven years ago horses were a vital part of the Kansas City Police Department. I for one am pleased that they have been reintroduced to the city and are making a big difference in fighting crime and at the same time forming a bond of trust between citizens and the police.