He’s chomping at the bit to fight some crime.
A police department in Pennsylvania has welcomed a miniature horse as its newest recruit.
Fox 43 News reports how the Quarryville Police Department in Lancaster County may now boast Officer McGillicuddy—a 12-year-old, 330-pound miniature horse—among its ranks.
Office McGillicuddy was sworn in on Tuesday, Aug. 2, during the area’s National Night Out event, and will hopefully fulfill his role as a cheerful liaison between the public and police with great success.
“It breaks down the barriers between police, children, and parents,” says Quarryville Mayor Anthony Cavallaro to the news station. “Parents bring [their kids] over and they want pictures taken.
“Then they ask where McGillicuddy is and it just breaks that barrier down. They know the police really aren’t [always] going after the bad guys.”
The Tribune-Review continues to report how the miniature horse—who stands at about two-and-a-half feet tall—has even received his very own uniform and hat for this position. The only thing that his job doesn’t require of him, however, is giving people rides.
And according to the same Tribune-Review article, Cavallaro believes that the Quarryville Police Department may be one of the only departments in the whole country to swear in a miniature horse.
“The kids love it, and that is really what this is all about,” adds he.
Lancaster County police department announces death of miniature pony
The Quarryville Police Department is mourning one of its finest.
The department announced the death of the miniature pony Officer McGillicuddy on Tuesday, Nov. 1. According to a Facebook post, McGillicuddy died as a result of injuries sustained in an accidental fall.
“We mourn his loss and extend our condolences to his human family, police colleagues and fans,” said the Quarryville Police Foundation in a Facebook post.
The 12-year-old miniature pony was sworn into the Quarryville Police Department on Aug. 2 of this year.
“We are sincerely grateful for his service as a goodwill ambassador on behalf of the Quarryville Police Foundation. He inspired lots of smiles whenever he went and never tired of receiving hugs from all the kids,” said the department in a Facebook post.
Officer McGillicuddy’s watch officially ended on Oct. 15.
“He was truly one of a kind and will be sorely missed,” said the department.