Fort Bend Co. adds mounted patrol unit to sheriff's office

FORT BEND COUNTY – The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office has a new mounted patrol unit.

Sheriff Troy E. Nehls asked Lt. Sam Rader to prepare the curriculum for a Mounted Patrol certification, which Rader did, and 10 participants (the maximum allowed in the class) signed up for the inaugural training.

Ten riders and horses took part in the inaugural Mounted Patrol training course.

Lt. Sam Rader, who prepared the curriculum, said the unit has several viable uses, the first being crowd control. They can also be utilized for search and rescues.

"The officer is up off the ground by about 8 to 10 feet, so it provides a better viewpoint for searches," Radar said. "Horses may move at a slower pace, but the height advantage enables the deputy a superior vantage point compared to people on foot and even four-wheelers."

Participants had one day of class training followed by four days of riding at the O.D. Tucker Arena at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds.

 "This is something I've wanted to do for a long time, but this is the first opportunity for it to take place," Rader said. "We have Sheriff Nehls to thank for that."