The members of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Patrol are primarily Reserve Deputies serving entirely as volunteers. The Mounted Posse member must meet the same qualifications as any other Deputy of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office plus they must pass a horsemanship certification. Each Deputy and horse goes through rigorous training and must receive a certification before being place on the Mounted Posse.
Deputies on horseback fill a much needed role during events with large numbers of people, especially those containing groups with contrasting views. All Mounted Posse Deputies and their horses are highly trained to withstand hostile contact with large crowds. In addition to the function of crowd control, the Mounted Posse is also used during man-hunts and search and rescue operations in rural areas. The Mounted Posse is also present at many parades and large public events.
