United States Park Police conduct training for Georgia's horse-mounted patrol unit
From May 13-June 13, 2008 the United States Park Police conducted training for Georgia's newly formed horse-mounted patrol unit. Following an assessment last November, the U.S. Park Police (USPP) developed a training plan to improve the riding and law enforcement skills of Georgia's horse-mounted unit. Two Georgian officers, Levan Pantsulaia and Irakli Markozashvili, attended the USPP's 10-week course in Washington, D.C. from February to May. Two USPP Officers, Eric Evans and Ron Markland, and the two Georgian officers returned together in mid-May to conduct a month-long training course emphasizing the main skills addressed in the 10-week course. Thirteen Georgian officers completed the training course in Tbilisi and graduated June 13 at a ceremony held at the new Hippodrome at Lisi Lake. Deputy Minister Shalva Janashvili attended the ceremony, as well as Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Mark Perry.
Horse-mounted units generally patrol for crime prevention, engage in traffic control, community relations, and management of crowds at large events such as festivals, parades, concerts, or demonstrations. The benefits of a horse mounted unit are numerous, most especially for community outreach. People are interested to see a horse-mounted patrol, and even children are not afraid to approach a police officer on horseback. The USPP plan to return to Tbilisi in the fall to build on the training and hope to see the unit deployed all around the city. The State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), U.S. Embassy Tbilisi, sponsored the training. |
