Huntington Beach police mount a hearty welcome for new member Guardian

Huntington Beach recently welcomed a new member to its police force — an 11-year-old American Quarter Horse named Guardian who was selected to serve in the department’s Mounted Enforcement Unit.

Guardian joins four other horses who work with MEU officers to assist with crowd surveillance and control as well as during moments of civil unrest or disorder. Together, the teams may be called to serve at both spontaneous and planned events at Huntington Beach parks, beaches and downtown areas.

They may also be helpful in responding to incidents and investigations that take place in hard-to-reach areas where larger police vehicles may not be able to reach.

Huntington Beach Police spokeswoman Jessica Cuchilla said the department put out a call to nearby cities with equestrian units and learned about Guardian. Because of the nature of their work, horses must possess certain qualities that will assist officers on the job.

The gelding was evaluated and found to be a good fit.

“What we look for in a horse are their personality traits, their ability to interact with people and their response to stressful situations and noise,” Cuchilla explained Thursday.

Named as a tribute to fallen HBPD Officer Nicholas Vella — a 14-year veteran of the department who died in a Feb. 19 helicopter crash in the line of duty — Guardian has been partnered with MEU Officer Victor Ojeda. His first day on the job was July 29.

In addition to receiving regular training at the city’s Central Park Equestrian Center, where they are boarded, MEU equines like Guardian engage in weekly training alongside their officer partners, going out on trail rides together so horses can become attuned to their riders and vice versa.

Cuchilla said Guardian was purchased with donations made to the nonprofit Huntington Beach Police and Community Foundation, which provides supplies and equipment and also funds special programs.

Guardian and Officer Ojeda, along with the rest of the HBPD Mounted Enforcement Unit, may be seen out on patrol during the upcoming Pacific Air Show, which runs from Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 over the Huntington Beach Pier.

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