HOUSTON — The Houston Police Department is growing its mounted patrol unit.
On Friday, three new officers graduated from the department's nine-week course, along with two Conroe officers.
Fellow officers, family, and friends -- some from as far away as Conroe and Navasota -- attended the downtown Houston ceremony in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Houston Rodeo compadres and family showed up for Officer Jeff Corliss. The graduation was an emotional event for him. He put his hand to his chest and said, “
"I’m proud…I get choked up. I do," he said while putting his hand to his chest.
Corliss, who managed a ranch before becoming an officer added, “What we do is not easy. Having the support of family is important.”
Also in the crowd was proud dad Willie Brooks along with his daughter-in-law and grandson.
“When Jameel was less than 2 years old I bought him a quarter horse," Brooks said of his son who graduated with Mounted Patrol Class 38.
“That is right!” responded Officer Jameel Brooks. “I named him Coco.”
Even for these experienced riders, HPD's course is hard, going well beyond fundamental maneuvers.
“We have to do all of that bareback with no saddle," Brooks explained. "It was pretty tough. We even jumped a barrel. They say most people don't start jumping the barrel to year three. We did it week three!”
HPD Mounted Patrol Sgt. Dobrucki said mounted patrol officers are extremely useful when the city is hosting big events.
According to HPD Chief Troy Finner, they are also put "in our highest crime areas, but also, during our worst times, during protests when it really gets tense they’re trained to step in, move crowds and do things where people don’t get hurt."
HPD now has 31 mounted patrol officers. Some of the horses are donated. Others are purchased by police agencies.
HPD has a "Sponsor-A-House" program starting at $5,000 to help with the upkeep of the animals.