SA Police horses move into new facility at Gepps Cross

The 32 police horses that patrol Adelaide’s streets have moved into in a swish new facility, despite concerns the move will put public safety at risk.

Police horses have been moved into their new home at Gepps Cross as the new state-of-the-art mounted operations site nears its completion.

Mounted operations officers and stable hands have spent the past week readying the site for the 32 SA Police horses as they moved in to the $90m facility on Sunday.

The opening of the Gepps Cross facility comes after the controversial decision to relocate the Mounted Operations Unit from the Thebarton Barracks to make way for the construction of the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

The horses were originally stationed in Thebarton. Picture: RoyVPhotography.

32 police horses have moved into the new facility. Picture: RoyVPhotography.

After seeing the new area Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the move was like “going from a straw hut to The Intercontinental (Hotel)”.

“It’s like taking the horses out of solitary confinement and putting them into a proper facility,” Mr Stevens said.

“To move from what would have been considered a state-of-the-art facility 110 years ago to what is now a contemporary, modern facility that looks after the welfare of our horses and our staff, is a massive change for SAPOL.”

Commissioner Grant Stevens with a police horse.Picture: RoyVPhotography.

Senior Constable Sophie Heinrich with police horse Braxton.Picture: RoyVPhotography.

Sergeant Kelly-Anne Taylor, who runs the new facility, with police horse Flinders. Picture: RoyVPhotography.

Commissioner Stevens said the facility was “not something that was on our agenda” prior to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital decision and that there was “a degree of sadness” in leaving the Thebarton Barracks.

“But when you stand here … we can’t help but be excited about the future,” Commissioner Stevens said.

The outside view of the new facility. Picture: RoyVPhotography.

Senior Sergeant Kelly-Anne Taylor, who is in charge of police horses at Gepps Cross, said the new area will provide “365 days of training and working the horses, regardless of the weather”.

“We were always working around weather (at Thebarton).

“We can train 24/7 as well because obviously the lighting here is a lot better.”

She said the Gepps Cross site provided “opportunity for expansion” with more horses.

Remaining construction at the site includes offices and the Dog Operations Unit which will also be housed at Gepps Cross from early next year.

Police Minister Dan Cregan said the new site was “critical to SA Police’s operational capabilities”.

“A modern, fit-for-purpose home for the police greys and dogs will support the work of officers for decades to come,” Mr Cregan said.