From the beginning of the Bureau in 1870 and for the next five decades, the majority of the officers patrolled on foot. They would take a trolley to their patrol areas; beginning in 1872 with the first horse or mule-drawn trolley and continuing when the trolley became electric in 1889. In a rapidly growing city, horse patrol was soon identified as the best means for covering the residential and business areas that were beyond the effective reach of foot patrol. They were also used to respond to calls after the trolleys had stopped for the evening.
1875
Mounted Police are listed as part of the July 4th parade. |
1876
Four members of the Metropolitan Police force lead the First Division in the July 4th parade. |
1887
The earliest notation in yearly reports: one horse, one saddle and a wagon are listed. The Police Bureau is just 17 years old and an official patrol wagon was still a few years in the future. |
1888
Officer Atterbury, on horseback, chased and caught Mr. Pennington for fast driving north on Fourth street. |
1889
Chief Parrish begins requesting funding for a patrol wagon. Officers are escorting arrestees by foot, calling for an express wagon or even borrowing a two wheeled wash cart to haul in a drunk. |
1890
The inventory counted three horses. In January, Patrolman Joe Day mounted a horse and started tracking down a man who had stolen a horse and buggy. He found the rig near 6th and Montgomery. In March a shed for the patrol wagon and horses was constructed in the rear of the city jail.
Early April the patrol wagon finally arrives on the train. It was described as:
“…uncovered though a very neat affair, and is elaborately fitted out with nickel plated and brass trappings. Two tows of nicely upholstered seats, running lengthwise of the vehicle, are reached by a couple of steps from the rear and all around are tastefully arranged substantial, brass railings. On the sides of the driver’s seat, beneath two headlights, are the letters P.P.P. (Portland Police Patrol), and in larger gilt letters, running the entire length of the sides, are the words “Police Patrol.”
The patrol wagon is used for transporting prisoners, arrestees, officers to patrol locations and is the city ambulance. It appears that one of the first calls for the wagon was to transport a William Winchell from a collapsed building to Good Samaritan hospital.
The inventory counted three horses. In January, Patrolman Joe Day mounted a horse and started tracking down a man who had stolen a horse and buggy. He found the rig near 6th and Montgomery. In March a shed for the patrol wagon and horses was constructed in the rear of the city jail.
Early April the patrol wagon finally arrives on the train. It was described as:
“…uncovered though a very neat affair, and is elaborately fitted out with nickel plated and brass trappings. Two tows of nicely upholstered seats, running lengthwise of the vehicle, are reached by a couple of steps from the rear and all around are tastefully arranged substantial, brass railings. On the sides of the driver’s seat, beneath two headlights, are the letters P.P.P. (Portland Police Patrol), and in larger gilt letters, running the entire length of the sides, are the words “Police Patrol.”
The patrol wagon is used for transporting prisoners, arrestees, officers to patrol locations and is the city ambulance. It appears that one of the first calls for the wagon was to transport a William Winchell from a collapsed building to Good Samaritan hospital.
1891
Five horses for patrol are counted. The first horse patrol is established by Chief Parrish and initially assigned to Fulton Park. This was a new neighborhood populated by some of the more influential people in the city.
During President Harrison’s visit, “four mounted police rode one block in advance to clear the streets. Chief of Police Parrish, mounted on his sorrel charger” led the marching police platoon.
The police and fire call box system is up and running by February. For the 1890s, the system included a telegraph and telephone system. The telegraph was received in Headquarters and the police stable and gave the location of the sending call box (there were 25). The patrol wagon responded to every fire alarm received, along with arrestee transports, ambulance runs and shuttling officers.
Five horses for patrol are counted. The first horse patrol is established by Chief Parrish and initially assigned to Fulton Park. This was a new neighborhood populated by some of the more influential people in the city.
During President Harrison’s visit, “four mounted police rode one block in advance to clear the streets. Chief of Police Parrish, mounted on his sorrel charger” led the marching police platoon.
The police and fire call box system is up and running by February. For the 1890s, the system included a telegraph and telephone system. The telegraph was received in Headquarters and the police stable and gave the location of the sending call box (there were 25). The patrol wagon responded to every fire alarm received, along with arrestee transports, ambulance runs and shuttling officers.
1895
Four horses and four mounted policemen. |
1896
The inventory lists four mounted officers, two patrol wagon drivers, one patrol wagon listed with three horses listed for the wagon. |
1897
Four mounted officers, two patrol wagons with three horses. |
1898
The inventory listed three horses, one patrol wagon and four saddles. Due to severe budget cuts, in November the police commissioners were looking at replacing the five horses with bicycle patrol. |
1899
Three horses, one wagon and two saddles are mentioned in the yearly report, but in December a newspaper article notes that “… the horses…have been disposed of with the exception of those necessary for the patrol wagon. The bicycle has been introduced into the patrol system, which has permitted a reduction in the force.” |
1900
Only two wagon drivers listed. |
1903
The horse patrol is re-introduced with seven horses and patrolmen. It was found that the bicycle corps wasn’t able to navigate the rougher roads, and suffered constant flat tires. Officers Shane riding “Bill,” Circle riding “Palo Alto,” Hirsh riding “Black Dick,” Gabriel riding “Piebald,” Mallett riding “Tom,” Croxford riding “Fred,” and Vaughan on “Teddy.”
Seven mounted officers for better protection of outlying areas, three patrol wagon drivers, three horses for mounted and three for the wagon. The old stables was gutted and rebuilt with six new stalls for the wagon and patrol horses. The stable was painted white and blue.
The horse patrol is re-introduced with seven horses and patrolmen. It was found that the bicycle corps wasn’t able to navigate the rougher roads, and suffered constant flat tires. Officers Shane riding “Bill,” Circle riding “Palo Alto,” Hirsh riding “Black Dick,” Gabriel riding “Piebald,” Mallett riding “Tom,” Croxford riding “Fred,” and Vaughan on “Teddy.”
Seven mounted officers for better protection of outlying areas, three patrol wagon drivers, three horses for mounted and three for the wagon. The old stables was gutted and rebuilt with six new stalls for the wagon and patrol horses. The stable was painted white and blue.
1904
Eight mounted patrolmen. During a February drill, “The eight mounted patrolmen demonstrated their ability as equestrians outside the Armory on Tenth street.” “While Captain Moore was drilling the patrolmen in the drill room, Chief Hunt and the police committee were reviewing and giving final instructions to the mounted officers.” “The eight horsemen lined up for attention and gave a creditable display of their horsemanship, riding in twos, fours and single file at the pleasure of the inspecting committee.” |
1906
Three drivers for the patrol wagon. |
1910
July 14, 1910 a fire burned or damaged over twenty businesses and buildings over several blocks at the Exposition Building and Multnomah Field (now Providence Park). The buildings included two stables and a kennel and tragically the fire caused the death of two stable employees and 188 animals. Among the many horses that died were four from the mounted patrol – “Rattler,” “Rock,” “Dan,” and “Billy.” Their four riders, officers Rudolph, Inskeep, Van Overn and West were grief stricken. “All of the horses were specially adapted for police work. They had been painstakingly trained…They were well-drilled for parade purposes and took as much interest in their work as the owners.” |
1911
In July, patrol wagon driver Leisy found the stable faucet running wide open. This was during a water shortage and after finding the faucet turned on several more times, he enlisted the help of several officers. They set up a surveillance of the stables and after a long wait they saw “Tom,” one of the two grey wagon horses, stretching his lead and neck to the limit and turn on the faucet with his teeth. He then had a good long drink. “Jerry,” his teammate made jealous noises. Tom’s tether was shortened. |
1915
Twelve horses for the Mounted Squad. In October the city passed an appropriation for five small automobiles for the police patrol. This resulted in the non-filling of ten vacant positions, rejection of all proposed salary increases and that the twelve horses will be sold. |
1916
The Chief’s remarks in the yearly report included the “…passing of twelve horses used by the Mounted Squad…” replaced by five Ford touring cars. “Police horses have graced the streets of Portland continuously, with the exception of six years, since 1896. During those years, and particularly during recent years, they have been admired by hundreds as they carried their uniformed and star and helmet-bedecked riders about the residence streets and as they headed parades. They have taken the front rank in most of the big parades for 10 or 15 years.” The horses weren’t sold, but given to the Oregon National Guard to be kept at their Clackamas rifle range. |
1940
In May, an article mentions, in passing, the newly organized Portland Mounted Police squad. |
1979
Central precinct is developed a Horse Patrol, starting with one sergeant and two officers. This was a trial, begun on July 17 and funded from Park money and ended in October. The main patrol area was the Park Blocks. (Although there is a note that two officers rode their own horses, beginning in June.) The officers were: Sgt. Larry Kanzler, Charles Walters and Daniel Geppford. |
1980
July 1, the Mounted Patrol becomes a regular program of the Patrol Branch with one sergeant and five officers, adding: Michael McDonald, and Steven Coffman. |
1983
Two sergeants, twelve officers and sixteen horses. |