The Tempe Police Department relies on the use of horses to boost the visibility and effectiveness of patrol.  The functions of the Mounted Unit are to monitor and control crowds, to patrol areas not easily accessible to vehicles, and to provide high visibility patrol for specific problem areas.  

The Mounted Unit Officers are selected through a series of tests and are required to have been on regular patrol for at least two years.  The training with the animals is conducted by the Tempe Police Department Master Trainer(s) who specialize in their respective areas.  Additional training is provided on a national level for mounted officers.  The horses are acquired locally.