The Sheriff’s Mounted Volunteers (SMV) are dedicated volunteers that ride along on horseback with sworn members of the Sheriff’s Mounted Enforcement Unit (MEU). Provide ground support to the sworn members of the Sheriff’s Office, assist in search and rescue (SAR) missions on horseback, and appear at public events throughout the county representing the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. They provide their own horses, tack and transportation. They attend the same trainings and are required qualify alongside the Sheriff’s Mounted Enforcement Unit. They are a dedicated, talented, group of horses and riders.
To qualify to ride with the Sheriff’s Mounted Volunteers
- You need to own or have access to a good minded horse
- Own or have access to a horse trailer.
- Complete and pass Sheriff’s Office background investigation
- Complete and maintain a First Aid/CPR Card (VCSO will provide)
- Maintain a valid Disaster Service Worker Card (VCSO will provide)
- Horse and rider must complete and pass a mounted skills qualification test
- Attend a minimum of 4 Sheriff MEU trainings a year
- Attend a minimum of 1 Search and Rescue training a year
- Be available for call outs for SAR missions and/or law enforcement support
For more information regarding the Sheriff’s Mounted Volunteer program please contact Sgt. Jody Desjardins Jody.Desjardins@Ventura.Org