Devon and Cornwall Police Recruit Volunteers With Horses for Rural Patrols

Devon and Cornwall Police Want You and Your Horse on Patrol

Got a horse, five years in the saddle, and a few hours to spare? Devon and Cornwall Police have a job for you, and it does not involve a uniform car.

The force is recruiting equine volunteers to ride out across rural communities, carrying out high-visibility patrols on horseback. The scheme launched in April 2026 and is being run jointly by the force’s Rural Affairs and Citizens in Policing teams.

What the volunteers will do

Riders will engage with residents in rural areas while out on patrol, then report back to the force on anything that looks suspicious. The focus is on agricultural, equine, wildlife and heritage crime, plus offences that hit rural communities harder than most, like fly-tipping.

The hope is that having volunteers visibly out and about on horseback will put off would-be offenders, while giving police a stronger link into rural communities that can sometimes feel a long way from the nearest station.

Who can apply

The criteria are fairly specific. To be considered, volunteers must:

• Have at least 5 years’ riding experience
• Own a suitable horse
• Be over 21 years old
• Pass police vetting

Training included

Successful applicants will not be sent out cold. The force and partner agencies will provide training that includes police first aid, de-escalation training and online courses delivered by The College of Policing.

Anyone wanting to find out more or apply can visit the Devon and Cornwall Police equine volunteer page.