"They will certainly be deployed when needed. Not for every demonstration, but when necessary."
Published on September 23, 2024 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 1 minute read
Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs said mounted officers will be used to control protests and to help search for missing people in the city's vast parks and rural areas.
Stubbs announced plans for the new mounted unit last week and elaborated on them in a speech to reporters ahead of Monday's Ottawa Police Services Board meeting.
“Obviously, a mounted unit is very useful when it comes to major events, when it comes to protests,” Stubbs said. “There are a number of police services in Canada that have them and they are very useful in dealing with many protests. They will certainly be deployed when needed. Not for every protest, but when needed.”
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS
Subscribe now to read the latest news from your city and Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in Ottawa's weekly newsletter, Out of Office.
- Unlimited online access to the Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.
- Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news from your city and Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in Ottawa's weekly newsletter, Out of Office.
- Unlimited online access to the Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.
- Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
SIGN UP / LOG IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or log in to continue your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional items every month.
- Receive email updates from your favorite authors.
Log in or create an account
Or
Article content
A troop of eight mounted officers from Toronto were in Ottawa in February 2022 when police moved in to end the three-week occupation of the downtown core. The mounted unit was deployed twice to clear space between the police line and protesters.
Mounted units have also proven useful patrolling rural or wooded areas, particularly during searches, Stubbs said.
"They are very useful. As you know, we have a lot of large parks, a (large) rural area and a number of missing persons. A mounted unit can move much more quickly and easily, and because of its size it has the potential to see missing persons.
The mounted unit would also be used for proactive patrols, he said. "It's not just for the ByWard Market. You'll see this mounted unit on Wellington, on Sparks, in different parts of the city — and in the ByWard Market as well."
Stubbs did not say how much the mounted unit, which is expected to patrol next year, will cost.
Our website is your destination for breaking news, so be sure to bookmark our homepage andsubscribe to our newslettersso that we can keep you informed.
Recommended by the editorial
Article content
English 
French