Ex. 14. Read the text and do the tasks.

Mounted Branch

The origins of the Mounted Branch go back well before the foundation of the Metropolitan Police. In 1758 there was the first mention of men on horses being employed as peace officers in London.

Then, in 1760, Sir John devised a 'Plan for preventing Robberies within twenty miles of London’ to keep watch at toll-gates and turnpikes, and to intercept criminals.

The regular Bow Street Horse Patrol began in 1805 and it provided patrols on all main roads up to twenty miles from Charing Cross. Its original strength was 52 ex-calvalrymen, all aged over 35 and married. Each man carried a sabre, pistol, truncheon and a pair of handcuffs and wore a blue greatcoat and trousers, black leather hat and stock, white leather gloves and scarlet waistcoat.

In 1813 the control of the Bow Street Horse Patrol passed to the Home Secretary and in 1821 their numbers were increased. Then, in 1829, the first foot duty officers of the Metropolitan Police appeared on the streets, but it was not until 1836 that the Horse Patrol was incorporated into the Force, becoming the nucleus of the present day Mounted Branch.

In those days the chief purpose of the Branch was country patrols, but with the advent of Chartism in the late 1830s mounted police were mobilised in central London for the first time to keep public order.

The Mounted Branch has some 200 horses and 236 officers. It is under the control of the Assistant Commissioner for Territorial Operations with a Superintendent as.its operational head. The organisation of the Branch is governed by the need for mounted patrols in the Metropolitan Police District in particular areas - which is frequently reviewed in the light of changing circumstances.

As with any other specialist Branches, an officer must complete two years foot duty before applying for a post in Mounted Branch. This is to ensure that he or she is well grounded in general police work. The majority of recruits to the Branch have no previous experience of working with horses, but after a preliminary interview each applicant receives a 22 week course at Imber Court, and is taught how to ride and the general care of a horse and its equipment.

At the end of this course officers are posted to one of the larger stables as 'Mounted Reserve'. This means that they do not at first have a horse, but gain further experience riding other horses when officers are on leave or sick. This period usually lasts for about 6 months, at the end of which the officers are permanently established.

The horse's training is designed to produce a quiet, well-mannered animal that is well-balanced, obedient, and accustomed moving traffic and to unusual sights and sounds; it must also work equally well alone and in the company of other horses. The basic training of an average horse takes about 6 months, but there are no hard and fast rules, it is never hurried and can be divided into three stages.

First the horse is handled and lunged. Then training is carried out from the saddle and the horse is first introduced to waving flags and rattles as a preliminary preparation for ceremonial duties. Tape recorders and amplifying equipment are used in the covered riding school to simulate such noises as railway trains and football matches. When the horses have grown used to this, the third stage of their training is continued out in the open. Crowd control is earned out by teaching the horses to move sideways into groups of people.

The results of the training can be seen every year at the Metropolitan Police Horse Show at Imber Court - this is usually held around June each year.

On a normal day a mounted officer patrols for up to 4 hours, the rest of his 8 hour tour of duty being spent grooming, on general stable work and cleaning tack. On patrol he or she has the same duties as 'foot' colleagues, but, of course, has the added advantage of extra height and more chance to observe when assisting with traffic control, dealing with crime rowdyism and other offences which might require police action.

The duty of the Mounted Branch is crowd control, whether it is a ceremonial occasion, a big sporting event or a demonstration.

 

Ex. 15. Fill in the blanks:

1. The first mention of men in horses as peace officers in London was...

2. The regular Bow Street Horse Patrol provided patrols...

3. In 1813 the control of the Bow Street Horse Patrol passed...

4. An officer before applying for a post in Mounted Branch should...

5. After a 22 week course at Imber Court officers...

6. The stable “Mounted Reserve” means...

7. The last stage of horse training is...

8. Horses are taught... to control the crowd.

 

Ex. 16. Read the sentences and say if they are true or false:

1. The first mention of men on horses was in 1790.

2. Not every man in Bow Street Horse Patrol carried pistol, luncheon and a pair of handcuffs.

3. There were some requirements for Horse patrol men – to wear blue greatcoat, black leather hat and gloves.

4. The first foot duty officers of the Metropolitan Police appeared on the street in 1929.

5. The main purpose of the Mounted Branch was to help people with their trouble.

6. All recuits to the Branch must have great experience of working with horses.

 

Ex. 17. Explain the meaning of the following words and expressions:

1. Mounted branch

2. foot duty officers

3. crowd control

4. specialist branch

5. Home Secretary

 

Ex. 18. Give English Equivalents for the following words and phrases:

1. офицеры, поддерживающие общественный порядок

2. профилактика ограблений

3. количество патрульных было увеличено

4. основа, центр

5. основная (главная) цель

6. подчиняться, находиться под контролем

7. предварительное собеседование

8. опыт

9. обучение, тренировка

10. хулиганство, бесчинство

 

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