Pasadena Police Mounted Unit Earns Top Honors at Regional Training Course

(L-R) Officer Edgar Moreno, Officer Emanuel Nañez, Officer Marko Mendoza, Sergeant Panfilo De La Cruz (Photo – PPD)

The Pasadena Police Department’s Mounted Enforcement Unit (MEU) has returned from an intensive three‑day training program with high praise and a major individual award, marking a standout moment for the specialized team.

By Rena Kurlander

Hosted by the Western States Mounted Officers Association at the Ben Clark Training Center, the Foundation and Skills Course brought together mounted units from across the region for rigorous instruction designed to mirror real‑world policing challenges. Pasadena’s team—Sergeant Panfilo De La Cruz, Corporal Michael Arellanes, and Officers Marko Mendoza, Emanuel Nañez, and Edgar Moreno—spent the week navigating demanding drills that tested both rider and horse.

Participants trained in precision riding, formation work, obstacle navigation, search and rescue techniques, and mounted patrol tactics. The curriculum also included legal considerations, equipment handling, and trailering, all while conditioning horses to remain steady amid loud noises, sudden movement, and unpredictable environments.

Instructors noted that Pasadena’s strength went beyond technical skill. The MEU’s cohesion, discipline, and communication earned repeated commendations from course trainers, including the program’s head instructor, who highlighted the unit’s professionalism and unified approach.

A major highlight came when Officer Marko Mendoza received the coveted “Top Hand” Award, recognizing exceptional horsemanship, dedication, and overall performance. The honor distinguished him among a competitive field of mounted officers.

For the Pasadena Police Department, the accomplishment reflects more than a completed course. It underscores the MEU’s commitment to excellence and its readiness to meet the unique demands of mounted policing. The department noted that the team’s performance demonstrates the character and capability that define the unit as it continues serving the Pasadena community with confidence and skill.

(L-R) Officer Edgar Moreno, Sergeant Panfilo De La Cruz, Corporal Michael Arellanes, Officer Emanuel Nañez, and Officer Marko Mendoza (Photo – PPD)