Halifax police’s beloved horse Sarge retiring after 13 years of service

A 13-year veteran of Halifax Regional Police’s mounted unit is ready to retire.

Sarge, the unit’s longest-serving police horse, is set to step down from the force at a yet-to-be-scheduled ceremony.

The 18-year-old horse started serving with the mounted unit in 2006.

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Halifax Regional Police say a new four-legged member of the force will be visible in the coming weeks as he undergoes training.

The horse’s name has yet to be released but he will take part in a swearing-in ceremony at a later date.

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“We thank Sarge for his 13 years of service and for becoming an iconic presence within our community,” said Halifax Regional Police Chief Jean-Michel Blais.

“We are pleased to welcome the newest member of the Mounted Unit, and look forward to his contributions to safety as well as to becoming a future ambassador for our service.”

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Plans for Sarge’s retirement are still being determined but the police have said that we’ll get word from the “horse’s mouth” once a final decision has been made.

“Previous police horses moved on to greener pastures and retired on private farms,” Halifax Regional Police said in a tweet.