Washington County Sheriff’s office announces new Mounted Unit
Kristi Leonard-Webber, right, and her horse Carlos, speaks with members of the community at the River City Farmers Market on Saturday. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
Melissa Lively, right, and her horse Elvira, speaks with members of the community at the River City Farmers Market on Saturday. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
Kristi Leonard-Webber, right, and her horse Carlos, speaks with members of the community at the River City Farmers Market on Saturday. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
Melissa Lively, right, and her horse Elvira, speaks with members of the community at the River City Farmers Market on Saturday. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
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MARIETTA - On Thursday, the Washington County Sheriff's office announced a new Mounted Unit composed entirely of volunteers who provide and care for their own horses via Facebook.
The post said the Mounted Unit will focus on community outreach, public relations, special events, and "preserving the proud tradition of mounted law enforcement. With the mission of the unit to promote positive community relations while preserving and honoring the proud history and tradition of mounted law enforcement.
Sheriff Mark Warden said the steep history of a Mounted Unit and the want for stronger community engagement led to the creation of the unit.
The unit is approximately 14 – 17 individuals with 3 certified officers including, one retired police officer, Bob Ellenwood, a lieutenant with the sheriff's office, Jeremiah McConnell, and a certified deputy with the state of Ohio, Sherrie Warden, whose focus will be crowd control while in the unit. The majority is composed of citizen volunteers under Warden's reserve program with the Sheriff's office.
"They all swore in under my oath, but they do not have legal authority for arrest powers or enforcement actions," said Warden.
A member of the Mounted Unit, Melissa Lively and her horse, Elvira, were at the River City Farmers Market on Saturday with the unit’s first public showing. She has been around horses her whole life and is excited to engage with the community to share their history.
The unit has participated in two trainings, overseen by Coordinator of the WCSO Mounted Unit, Sherrie Warden. Sheriff Mark Warden said while there is a strong focus on public relations with the unit, they hope to train for search and rescue, to assist fire departments and other emergency services.
Mark Warden stated the unit is all volunteers who donate their time and care for their own horses, aside from some uniform costs and potential equipment costs, "it's not a cost on the general fund whatsoever," he said.
He said some members of the unit will be at the Sternwheel Festival and the Washington County Fair, "My vision is to get the community more involved in regards to what we do," he said.