Naming ceremony held for new police horse

Following the completion of his training, police horse Andy, from City of London Police’s Mounted Branch, has been given his new police name during a ceremony in the City.

Andy will now be known as PH Thomson, named after former chair and current deputy of the City of London Police Authority Board James Thomson.

To become a fully operational police horse, PH Thomson went through a carefully structured training programme.

This includes everything from developing road manners in challenging environments through to troop drill, introduction to ceremonial work and musical bands and exposure to the unique challenges of public order which includes flames, missiles and hostile crowds.  

When police horses are given the full sign off, they are given an official name and service number at a traditional ceremony.

Previous horses have been named after historically significant City sites or public figures with a City association.  

PH Thomson is also unique in the police horse world in that he has retained his ‘feathers’ the long hair above his hooves.

Sergeant Joanna Brown, of City of London Police’s Mounted Branch, said:

“This is a special occasion for the mounted branch, it celebrates the hard work and determination in training the horses and the commitment from the trainers and the wider team.

“We are naming this horse PH Thomson in recognition of Mr James Thomson, who has been a vocal supporter of our department. His interest in raising our profile and sharing what police horse bring to the Square Mile has been vitally important.”

James Thomson, Deputy Chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, said:

“I am honoured and humbled that a City police horse has been named after me. 

“The City of London Police Mounted Unit plays an important role in keeping the Square Mile one of the safest business districts in the world. 

“I am delighted that PH Thomson will be joining a team of other horses and I look forward to seeing them out on patrol.” 

The Mounted Section horses play a major role in policing the City from high-visibility patrols to state occasions, crowd control at demonstrations and sporting events and ceremonial duties.

Our officers and horses have patrolled the King’s coronation, Lord Mayor’s show, Trooping the Colour and assisted in Buckingham Palace Guard changes and state visits from foreign dignitaries.

Away from ceremonial duties, police horses also provide a reassurance to the public. Our officers have an elevated vantage point when saddled up, giving them a wider perspective of an area that an officer on foot might not see.

Mounted patrols are often intelligence-led in a counter-terrorism capacity, due to the fact they can provide such a strong, visible presence. The Branch are also used regularly on Project Servator deployments.