This Thursday, Sûreté du Québec Mounties were spotted in the Vaudreuil-Dorion area. What is the police force's cavalry, which can be seen at various times on the province's roads? 

According to the police force's website, the cavalry offers four types of service: support to MRC stations in maintaining order, participation in searches, equestrian patrols and participation in community activities.

“They're certainly impressive to see, but just as police officers ride in a car or on a motorcycle, the officers who patrol on the backs of horses can also issue statements of offence and intercept motorists. The Equestrian Patrol often travels from one municipality to another to take part in road safety operations when necessary. Today's outing also serves as training for the colts,” says Sûreté du Québec spokeswoman Valérie Beauchamp.  

Also on its website, the SQ points out that the cavalry has a unique expertise at the service of the Sûreté du Québec, its members and citizens. It's a complementary way of making the organization accessible to all, and perpetuating the Sûreté du Québec's commitment to the communities it serves.

Policeman-riders are frequently involved with their mounts in crowd management and policing at large public gatherings.

The team is also called upon to deploy on forest searches, in urban areas and in certain disaster zones. The rider-horse duo enhances the response to emergency operations with specialized resources that only the qualities of the horse can offer the rider-police officer:

- Its height (to see and be seen);

- Maneuverability, endurance and versatility (to get around on any terrain);

- Its fine sensitivity: sense of smell and hearing (search);

- Its ability to move silently is an asset when searching;

- Its human appeal (to communicate and soothe).