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Hope Mills swears in three officers; mounted patrol rider certified
Summary
Mayor and chief swore in three new officers and town staff highlighted a mounted patrol horse and rider who completed expedited certification with Raleigh PD and will be used for community outreach and school safety events.
The Hope Mills Town Board swore in three new police officers during its regular meeting and recognized a mounted patrol certification achieved with assistance from the Raleigh Police Department.
Chief (identified in the meeting) introduced Officer Lauren Lockhart Peoples, Officer Kimberly Wilhoite and Officer Tony Bridal and led them through the oath of office. Each officer repeated the oath and was congratulated by the mayor and the board.
Separately, staff and board members highlighted the town’s mounted patrol capability. A patrol rider described completing the mounted-patrol certification program — an accelerated course in this case — and said the horse performed well during the town’s recent parade. The rider said officials plan to use the horse for park and lake events, school visits and safety demonstrations to familiarize children with horses and proper behavior around them.
"She was a police horse all along and didn't know it," the rider said, describing the animal’s composure amid crowds during the parade.
Town leaders thanked the officers and the mounted patrol team and said they expect to include the mounted unit in future community outreach events.
