The City of Rochester had a mounted Unit from 1887 to 1932. This was eliminated when the automobile took over as the main mode of personal transportation. A horse walking down a busy city street, was considered a traffic hazard.

In June of 1977, the Mounted Police was reestablished in Rochester. Officer Gary Cicoria, already on the force, was an experienced horseman as well as a former New York rodeo hand, and was the ideal candidate to head the new unit. There were two horses. One, a gelding with some Belgian breeding in his background. He was named "Midtown Yankee" by elementary school children who participated in a name-the horse contest. His partner, a 14-year-old mare named "Downtown Dolly," had Morgan and Thoroughbred bloodlines. Today, the force has grown and now consists of seven officers, ten horses and a new location. The unit regularly participates in police equestrian tournaments on the East Coast. In 1995, the Mounted police won 'Over All' for the third year in a row for the National Competition. The division is located at 184 Verona Street. The new facility is located in the historic High Falls district. 1997 marked the 20th anniversary of the service and security that the Mounted Police provides for the Rochester community.

The Mounted Police are responsible for crowd and traffic control at community events, such as hockey and baseball games, concerts and bar closings. The added presence of the officers is successful in crime prevention. The fact that an officer on horseback has a better view than a man on foot has provided the mounted police with an edge in many situations.

The City provides the saddles, tack, and other necessities for the horses. Some of the horses in the unit have been donated by downtown corporations such as the Farash Corp., the Holiday Inn and the Summit Credit Union. Private individuals can contribute through the "Friends of the Mounted Unit" fund. This is managed on behalf of the patrol by Rochester Jobs Incorporated. These tax-free donations have provided the funds to expand the number of horses. The Unit is always looking to recruit mature horses with quiet disposition that enables them to adapt to heavy traffic situations and close proximity to crowds.

The Mounted Police serves a multi-faceted role in the community. The officers for this unit are chosen for their special ability to relate to many different people. They interact with the wide range of people visiting, living and working in City of Rochester. The Mounted officers visit their surrounding neighborhoods on a regular basis, visiting playgrounds and recreation centers to mix with the young people. An added bonus has been the improved relations between police and the public. Children and adults alike aren't afraid to approach an officer mounted on a horse. Wherever they patrol, the officers are besieged by groups of people who want to touch and talk about the patrol horses. The horses like the attention. More and more the kids are regarding 'cops' as friends, not enemies. The Mounties participate in parades, visit elementary and grammar schools and provide approximately 100 annual tours through the police stables. During these guided tours individuals can see the Mounted Police Station and the horse stables. A tour for your group can be scheduled by calling 585-428-7184.

Barn |The Officers | The Horses | Tribute