It’s not every day you see police horses patrolling the town with their respected riders from Queensland Police Service. But that’s exactly what Mackay locals experienced this week, when two mounted officers from Brisbane arrived in town after completing patrols in Airlie Beach.
Children reached out to pat the horses, parents snapped photos, and plenty of locals were left starstruck at the sight of Sergeant Ben Bassingthwaighte with police horse Lance, and Constable Debbie Brunschlight with police horse Karma.
“We do all sorts of ceremonial work, like opening big shows with government officials, but the horses are also a strong presence in the community,” Constable Brunschlight said.
“They’re beautiful animals and people love coming up to meet them.”
The mounted officers are affectionately known as “peace-keepers,” using their elevated position in crowds to spot issues before they happen. Just last weekend they were on duty at the Australian March, ensuring community safety and keeping the event calm and family-friendly.
Sergeant Bassingthwaighte said Mackay’s response had been overwhelmingly positive, and crime noticeably quiet.
“It’s great to see how much people enjoy the horses. I think they appreciate the extra police presence, and in a bit of a different way. It’s been very popular,” he said.
“They are a combined one and a half tons of deterrence. Everyone’s been very well-behaved around them, which is part of their attraction, and they encourage good behaviour.”
Speaking about his own pathway into the mounted unit, Bassingthwaighte credited his rural upbringing.
“I grew up on a cattle property when I was younger, then worked in the city for a while. When I decided to join the mounted unit, I had to brush up on my riding skills and pass an assessment to get in.”
The Brisbane-based officers and their horses wrapped up their Mackay patrols on Wednesday, leaving behind plenty of smiles and lasting memories of Queensland Police’s unique four-legged peace-keepers.
Sergeant Ben Bassingthwaighte with his horse Lance and Constable Debbie Brunschlight with her horse Karma patrolled Mackay, delighting locals and providing a commanding, community-focused presence. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
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