What you didn’t know about Dayton’s four-legged crime fighters

In the more than 150-year history of the Dayton Police Department, mounted patrol units have been in service twice.

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Here are 3 things to know about the equine crime fighters:

1. The original Dayton Mounted Patrol Unit was formed in 1892. The unit was resurrected in 1989.

2. For 14 years, the streets of downtown Dayton were patrolled by Dayton’s four-legged finest with names like Cody, Boomer, Charlie and Doc.

3. Police officers on horseback were not only good for public relations — they were also a valuable tool for police work. Their presence, combined with a skilled officer, could de-escalate situations before they got out of hand.

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