New Haven Independent

More specifically, New Haven’s newest crime fighter is a Perchon Cross, new to policing, and donated by Greener Pastures, an organization based in Salem, Connecticut, that rescues horses. His posture is noticeably disciplined, tempered only with the gentleness that any child would adore. He is the perfect example of a gentleman.

But don’t get any ideas. Kim Roche, a patrol officer of the police department’s Mounted Unit, already has the pleasure of riding Marshmallow.

Roche, together with the five to six other horses in New Haven’s Mounted United, will lead Marshmallow through patrols and ceremonies, of which a welcoming ceremony on the Green Tuesday was the first. Marshmallow and his two fellow horse officers, Calli and Valence, demonstrated their impeccable coordination as they took a lap around Green in perfect step.

Not that Marshmallow’s job will be a walk in the park.

Crowd control, regular patrols, and parades will fill Marshmallow’s agenda.

“In crowd control, three to four horses do the work of 30 normal officers,” said Chief Administrative Officer John Buturla. Impressive, indeed.

Stephanie Redding, the assistant chief of police and a former mounted officer, remembers that parading was often a challenging task. “The horses can get nervous,” she said, explaining that darting kids and excited crowds are always the cause of great care.

In these and other community events, Marshmallow will be not only a policeman, but also be a diplomat.

Smitten with his impressive stance perched on the New Haven Green, Redding could not help but name Marshmallow and his veteran colleagues “The ambassadors to the city.”

John Burturla (second from left in photo) agreed: “They are our ambassadors—not only to young people, but everywhere.” He said that the horses were vital to community interaction.

It is not surprising that Marshmallow, and his colleagues, are in high demand. In addition to welcoming the force’s newest stallion, Tuesday’s ceremony kicked off a campaign aimed to expand the Mounted Unit. Friends of the NHPD Mounted Unit has set up a fund, together with NewAlliance Bank.

Paul McCraven, senior vice president of NewAlliance, announced the bank’s initial gift of $500. Gifts can be made at any New Alliance branch.

I, for one, would like to see more Marshmallows in the city.