The Knoxville Police Department, with support from the Downtown Knoxville Alliance, has introduced three new horses to their mounted patrol unit, and they’re turning to the community for help in naming them. Since their arrival in July, the horses have been under training to enhance their presence in downtown Knoxville, the Old City, and at special events; the community’s participation in naming the horses acts as a bridge between law enforcement and the locals they serve. According to WATE, those interested in proposing names for the three equine additions—a 4-year-old black Morgan/Percheron cross, a 5-year-old black and white Quarter Horse/Belgian-Percheron cross, and a 6-year-old black Quarter Horse/Percheron cross—can submit their suggestions online through September 5.
The necessity for additional horses became apparent after the successful deployment of KPD’s mounted unit, an initiative becoming fully operational in late May with two horses and the dedication of three officers for special training, as the horses provide a unique vantage point and increased accessibility throughout the city. The new horses will begin participating in patrol operations soon and the squad’s current equine members, Waggoner and Phyl, were named in honor of significant individuals related to the department’s history, WVLT reports. Funding for the new horses came from the Downtown Knoxville Alliance, demonstrating a collaborative effort to bolster the mounted unit’s capacity to patrol and connect with the community.
The Knoxville Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Unit, spotlighted by WBIR, initiated a campaign to engage the public in naming the three horses to foster a sense of community and investment in local law enforcement. After the submission period ends, a selection committee will assess all proposed names and announce the winners who will in turn receive prize packs courtesy of the Downtown Knoxville Alliance and KPD…