INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD Mounted Patrol welcomed three new recruits into their ranks earlier this year. It’s the first time in eight years the Mounted Patrol has opened the process of recruiting new officers and one of the largest increases in new officers for the Mounted Patrol at one time in its history.
Ivalee Craney comes to the Mounted Patrol from the ranks of IMPD. A 10-year street veteran of IMPD, she also has 30 years of experience with horses. “When I saw the opening for Mounted Patrol I stepped up and applied. It’s a dream position to combine my career with my passion for horses,” she said. Her horse is Stretch, who she describes as “a total ladies’ man.”
Joining Craney in her cohort is Luke Schmitt, a 23-year veteran of IMPD with 16 years working narcotics. “I came to Indianapolis in 1990 to IUPUI to finish my college education and I got on the IU Police Department from 1990-1994. I applied to several departments around the area, but I wanted to get on at [the Indianapolis Police Department] because it had a Mounted Patrol unit,” says Schmitt. Schmitt was ultimately hired full-time by the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. Schmitt hasn’t settled on his primary horse yet, but has spent much of his time with Finn, a new and inexperienced horse.
Third, Chad Pryce is also a 10-year veteran of IMPD. “My grandfather had horses when I was real little. He was a part of the Shriner’s back then and rode horses. I always looked up to him for that.” Pryce has spent time in the Academy recently and each have undergone intense training since joining Mounted Patrol this past April. Pryce has selected Jake as his primary horse, one with just as much experience in the police force as Pryce does. “Jake is a people-pleaser.”
Visit impdmountedpatrol.org for more information about the IMPD Mounted Patrol.
