Problems examined include how police can stop the increasing crime rate, how police can increase citizens' feelings of personal security, how community relations can be improved, and how police can manage large crowds without causing injuries or bad community relations. The study also isolated the functions of a modern mounted police officer that can meet these problems. These functions include increasing citizens' perceptions of safety, acting as a crime deterrent, improving public relations and crowd management, providing security at special events and disasters, searching/rescuing, and providing transportation. In addition, the study looked at the implementation of a mounted unit, including obedience training and the level of training and riding ability needed by the officer. Finally, the study identified special issues such as overcoming resistance to change, legal aspects, and animal sanitation and waste. Footnotes, photographs, drawings, and over 50 references are given. (Author abstract modified)