The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary’s Mounted Unit was founded in 1873 and began with seven horses and seven riders. At its peak the Mounted Unit had 10 horses. Today the unit includes three mounts and three riders; Harvey, Castle and Dobbin.

The Mounted Unit is trained in crowd control and troop movements, formation riding, sensory training, and policing from horseback.

In addition to conducting patrols and special duties on the Northeast Avalon and Corner Brook, the Mounted Unit also plays an integral role in the RNC’s Public Order Unit and search and rescue operations. The Unit can also be seen in the community, attending special events and ceremonies.

RNC Mounted Unit Present Mounts

Harvey was born on May 12, 2011, and was sworn into service with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary on October 18, 2017. Harvey is a black male Percheron/Canadian Cross and was donated to the RNC Mounted Unit by Ms. Susan Patten of A. Harvey & Company Limited.

Castle was born on January 4, 2015, and was sworn into service with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary on July 25, 2019. Castle is a male purebred Clydesdale and was gifted to the RNC Mounted Unit by Jim and Beverly Zaleski.

Dobbin II was born on March 18, 2012, and was sworn into service with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary on July 25, 2019. Dobbin II is a male purebred Clydesdale and is the second horse gifted to the RNC Mounted Unit by Mrs. Elaine Dobbin who donated Dobbin in memory of her husband, Craig L. Dobbin.

History

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary’s Mounted Unit was founded in 1873 and began with seven horses and seven riders. In 1922, the Mounted Unit was reorganized as a branch of the Constabulary. It continued as an important part of the Constabulary until 1951 when it was disbanded and the horses sold. At that time, there was no likelihood the Mounted Unit would ever be reorganized. The last four mounted police officers were; Cyril Leaman, Harvey Moores, W. Yetman and Vince Noonan.

Prior to 2003, Honorary Inspector William A. Bradley had provided a voluntary mounted unit for the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. With his continuing support and through the efforts of Inspector Sean Ryan, as well as community and corporate financial assistance, the Mounted Unit of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary was re-established on November 17, 2003.

Honorary Inspector William Bradley donated two horses to the unit, Vince and Townshend.

On November 2, 2007, the new home of the RNC Mounted Unit was officially opened on the historic Government House grounds.

RNC Mounted Unit Previous Mounts

Dr. Rich retired from the Mounted Unit due to medical reasons in 2022. Dr. Rich was born in 2011 and was sworn into service with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in September of 2015. He is a black male Percheron who was donated to the Mounted Unit by His Honour, the Honourable Frank F. Fagan, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador and Her Honour, Mrs. Patricia Fagan in honour of their son the late Dr. Richard Fagan.

Dobbin, who passed away on May 25, 2018 at the age of 15, joined the RNC’s Mounted Unit in 2009 thanks to the generous support from Mrs. Elaine Dobbin who donated Dobbin in memory of her husband, Craig L. Dobbin. Dobbin was sworn into service with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in April of 2009. He was a black male Percheron who was born in 2004.

Fraize, who passed away on October 2, 2017 at the age of 20 was named after the late Detective Sgt. Tom Fraize, the first president of the RNC Association and founding president of the RNC Veterans’ Association. Fraize was donated to the RNC through funds raised by the RNC Veterans’ Association and the RNC Association. Fraize was sworn into service with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in April of 2008. He was a black male Percheron who was born in 1998.

Townshend, who passed away on August 4, 2016 at the age of 21 was named after Fort Townshend, the base operation of the original Mounted Unit, which is home to the RNC’s Provincial Headquarters today. Townshend was donated to the RNC by Honorary Inspector William Bradley. Townshend was sworn into service with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in October of 2003. Townshend was a black male Percheron who was born in 1995.

Vince, who passed away on April 27, 2017, at the age of 20, retired from the RNC Mounted Unit on October 20, 2014. Vince was named after Sgt. Vince Noonan, a Mounted police officer with the RNC in the 1950’s. Vince was donated to the RNC by Honorary Inspector William Bradley. Vince, a black male Percheron, was sworn into service with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in October of 2003.