Police horses in action - Double Feature
Series 1: Hamburg-Osdorf is home to the "office" of the police equestrian squad: 9 horses + 10 riders that can be deployed at any time within the Hanseatic city. Dörte Thieß and Christina Haßelbusch are responsible for the animals, which have around 300 assignments every year - from patrols to climate demonstrations, but also to keep opposing fans apart at Bundesliga matches. To do this, the horses need to be well trained and, above all, healthy. It is not easy to find new blood for the equestrian squad. It's hard to imagine Hamburg's streets without the police equestrian squad: drug searches, traffic controls and brawls are part of their daily routine. Dörte Thies, the head of the squad, and her colleagues are also on duty at demonstrations and soccer matches. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, they have to keep an overview, assess dangers and prevent riots. On such a day, the policewomen sit in the saddle for up to eight hours, in all weathers. A back-breaking job for man and beast. The reportage "Police Horses in Action" accompanies the Hamburg policewomen on their mission on horseback in the Hanseatic city, shows the demands on the team and everything that lies behind the special work with the police horses. In the mid-1970s, the Hanseatic city had abolished the equestrian squadron for cost reasons, but in 2010 it made a comeback. Since then, the mounted officers have been part of the cityscape and are at the top of the popularity scale among citizens + tourists. But Dörte Thies and her team are not only popular figures, they are also problem solvers: Wherever they appear, hooligans become quite tame. The large horses ensure respect during operations and even have a de-escalating effect due to their calm charisma. Currently, the Hamburg police riding squad consists of ten riders and only nine horses - so it urgently needs reinforcement. For weeks, Dörte Thies + her deputy Christina Haßelbusch have been looking for a new super horse. The entry hurdles are extremely high: the horse must be at least 1.70 meters tall, be in top medical condition + remain calm in stressful situations. Horses are flight animals. In an emergency, the animals must remain calm and show no shyness. It is hard work for the policewomen until they can send the horses on their first assignment. Dörte Thies and Christina Haßelbusch hope that 10-year-old Lucky will meet their expectations. Before Lucky's temperament and character are tested, he must show that his locomotor system is without fault. Because the policewomen must be able to rely on him one hundred percent in the future - in the forest, on the street or in the demo turmoil. Will Lucky pass the test? The gelding Arthos has already passed his theoretical test. Now he faces his practical baptism of fire at an HSV soccer match against Regensburg.
Broadcasting on 04th of September 2021 at 07.10pm on VOX, Music: POPVIRUS Library
Series 2: Ten horses + their riders: This is the Hamburg police equestrian squad, which is deployed everywhere in the Hanseatic city. VOX accompanied the horse police at work for 18 months. In the second part of the report, a major operation is on the agenda - in the middle of the Corona pandemic: Dörte Thies and her team of riders, along with another 1,500 emergency personnel, have to ensure that the demonstrations on the first weekend in May don't get out of hand.
Broadcasting on 11th of September 2021 at 07.10pm on VOX, Music: POPVIRUS Library