Cheer Team, Community Celebrate Spirit’s Induction into MPD’s Mounted Patrol Unit

Spirit, a 6 -year-old Percheron Gelding, earned his badge this evening and became an official member of the Madison Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit. Under a warm blue sky, the ceremony took place near the fieldhouse at Vel Phillips Memorial High School.

Memorial's cheer team − whom Spirit is named on the team's behalf - joined in the celebration, along MPD Honor Guard and Mounted Patrol Unit members. The timeless tradition is the last step before becoming a full-fledged member of the city's six-horse mounted police herd.

"The support that this unit gives to all of our officers on two feet is incredible and cannot be understated along with the connections they help us establish around our community," said Madison Police Chief John Patterson. "I like to think of Spirit as more than just a new partner, but more like a symbol of trust, the power of presence and approachability when it comes to more meaningfully relationships with our community. This is a continuance of all the great work that our entire Mounted Patrol has done over the years."

The ebony-color purebred, sponsored by Laura Harrington, came to the team in 2023 and completed a two-year probationary period after demonstrating the ability to perform numerous tasks in a variety of conditions.

Born in Ishpeming, Michigan, Spirit is not only the youngest on the team, but he's also the biggest. Those who work with the 1,900-pounds beauty, describes Spirit as having a playful personality and "if he could talk, he'd be the funniest horse in our unit," said Mounted Patrol Officer Jessie Luedke.

Spirit also stands just over 18 hands tall which helps give a mounted police officer with an elevated vantage point - approximately 10 feet - with a commanding view of the surroundings.

"This is such an honor," said Harrington, a longtime MPD supporter. "I named Spirit after my cheerleading team. I've been a cheerleading coach here (at Memorial High School) for 10 years and also a cheerleading coach at Madison East for 15 years … I thought this was the perfect name for a very prestigious young man."

Introduced in the 18th century to overcome poor roads, mounted patrol units still stand as a symbol in the ever-changing law enforcement landscape. The teams are used in various ways, including crowd control, search and rescue, and community engagement. Often, the horses' presence fosters positive interactions between officers and the community which is key to successful relations.

The Madison Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit has eight total riders and six horses. Costs for the unit's training, equipment and supplies come from donations through a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit called Friends of Madison Mounted Horse Patrol, not through taxpayer dollars. The Unit's mission is to represent the MPD while on horseback as ambassadors of goodwill, to build and strengthen community partnerships, and deter criminal activity through high visibility engagement.

To meet Spirit's teammates, visit https://www.madisonmounted.org/horses.