SANTA FE COUNTY SHERIFF'S POSSE
The Sheriff's Posse of Santa Fe County was incorporated as a New Mexico non-profit organization in 1941. As such, it is one of the oldest continually operating equine organizations in the United States.
The Posse is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization dedicated to public service, and to the betterment of the equine community.
SEARCH & RESCUE
The Posse is a designated search and rescue (SAR) team as provided by the NM SAR Act and Plan of 1978, under the providence of the NM Department of Public Safety and administered under the NM State Police SAR Office.
The posse members participate in Mounted Search and Rescue missions when called upon by the NM State Police SAR Officer. While the Posse is primarily an equine-oriented organization, in 2007, in order to expand the Posse's usefulness in SAR missions, the Bylaws were amended to include four-wheel-drive SAR participation.
Posse members provide their own equines, tack, and four-wheel-drive vehicles. With the exception of the Posse uniform and SAR radio equipment, members provide all their own clothing and equipment required for search and rescue missions.
Funding for uniforms, SAR radios and other team equipment is wholly dependent on volunteers and donations.Without these the Posse would be unable to perform the vital community service.
Posse members also participate in other equine-related community needs, most notably equine evacuation in the event of a natural or other emergency. Due to frequent annual range, forest, and brush fires in New Mexico during the summer months, equine evacuation has become an area of critical concern. The Posse has taken a lead role in working with the appropriate state and local agencies in developing procedures and protocol for equine evacuation. Additionally, the Posse works with other equine organizations to develop and make available guidelines for equine owners to help prepare themselves and their animals for potential evacuation emergencies.
Additionally, the Posse participates in other selected community activities to bring recognition to the Posse and to further support the role of equine in New Mexico. Examples of such activities are parades, Rodeo Grand Entries, parking control, greetings for fiesta activities, cultural events and museum events.
TRAINING
The Posse conducts and participates in training activities to develop and enhance the necessary SAR and horsemanship skills to complete our mission.
The Posse has established a set of horsemanship criteria whereby members must demonstrate proficiency in order to advance to the upper levels of certification, and thus be qualified to participate in certain activities.
In the context of training, the Posse also conducts and participates in training rides to foster closer-working relationships, acclamation, and exposure of members' animals to new circumstances. Rides are designated as "closed" to members only or "open", where invited persons and/or those interested in possibly joining the Posse are welcome to participate.
On a regular schedule basis, the Posse invites persons with expertise in selected areas to present training programs to the posse members. All members are strongly encouraged to successfully complete the NM State SAR training to qualify for "PACE" Search and Rescue Certification.
MEMBERS
All Posse members are volunteers who live and work in the community. Membership in the Posse is achieved by a probationary period and a vote by the membership at the conclusion of that period. Vote for membership is based on horsemanship skills, demonstrated willingness to be an active, participating member, and an attitude and determination consistent with the goals and objectives of the Posse. All posse Officers are elected from the membership, and elections are held on an annual basis. Officers do not receive any remuneration for serving period.
Gender, race, or creed are not a consideration for membership. In recent years, a typical minority composition of the Posse members and Officers reflect Hispanic, African American, and women members. On average, 30% of the membership are women, and the Officer positions reflect a similar distribution.
Posse uniforms are worn at designated events. The Posse has had a long, historical affiliation with the Santa Fe County Sheriff's office. As a consideration for the historical background and recognitions of accomplishments of the Posse members of that era, the Posse uniforms continue to have a "deputy sheriff" appearance. However, since 1978, with the introduction of the NM SAR Act and Plan, the Posse has had no affiliation with Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, and does not serve as a law enforcement agency in any capacity.
The Sheriff's Posse of Santa Fe County was incorporated as a New Mexico non-profit organization in 1941. As such, it is one of the oldest continually operating equine organizations in the United States.
The Posse is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization dedicated to public service, and to the betterment of the equine community.
SEARCH & RESCUE
The Posse is a designated search and rescue (SAR) team as provided by the NM SAR Act and Plan of 1978, under the providence of the NM Department of Public Safety and administered under the NM State Police SAR Office.
The posse members participate in Mounted Search and Rescue missions when called upon by the NM State Police SAR Officer. While the Posse is primarily an equine-oriented organization, in 2007, in order to expand the Posse's usefulness in SAR missions, the Bylaws were amended to include four-wheel-drive SAR participation.
Posse members provide their own equines, tack, and four-wheel-drive vehicles. With the exception of the Posse uniform and SAR radio equipment, members provide all their own clothing and equipment required for search and rescue missions.
Funding for uniforms, SAR radios and other team equipment is wholly dependent on volunteers and donations.Without these the Posse would be unable to perform the vital community service.
Posse members also participate in other equine-related community needs, most notably equine evacuation in the event of a natural or other emergency. Due to frequent annual range, forest, and brush fires in New Mexico during the summer months, equine evacuation has become an area of critical concern. The Posse has taken a lead role in working with the appropriate state and local agencies in developing procedures and protocol for equine evacuation. Additionally, the Posse works with other equine organizations to develop and make available guidelines for equine owners to help prepare themselves and their animals for potential evacuation emergencies.
Additionally, the Posse participates in other selected community activities to bring recognition to the Posse and to further support the role of equine in New Mexico. Examples of such activities are parades, Rodeo Grand Entries, parking control, greetings for fiesta activities, cultural events and museum events.
TRAINING
The Posse conducts and participates in training activities to develop and enhance the necessary SAR and horsemanship skills to complete our mission.
The Posse has established a set of horsemanship criteria whereby members must demonstrate proficiency in order to advance to the upper levels of certification, and thus be qualified to participate in certain activities.
In the context of training, the Posse also conducts and participates in training rides to foster closer-working relationships, acclamation, and exposure of members' animals to new circumstances. Rides are designated as "closed" to members only or "open", where invited persons and/or those interested in possibly joining the Posse are welcome to participate.
On a regular schedule basis, the Posse invites persons with expertise in selected areas to present training programs to the posse members. All members are strongly encouraged to successfully complete the NM State SAR training to qualify for "PACE" Search and Rescue Certification.
MEMBERS
All Posse members are volunteers who live and work in the community. Membership in the Posse is achieved by a probationary period and a vote by the membership at the conclusion of that period. Vote for membership is based on horsemanship skills, demonstrated willingness to be an active, participating member, and an attitude and determination consistent with the goals and objectives of the Posse. All posse Officers are elected from the membership, and elections are held on an annual basis. Officers do not receive any remuneration for serving period.
Gender, race, or creed are not a consideration for membership. In recent years, a typical minority composition of the Posse members and Officers reflect Hispanic, African American, and women members. On average, 30% of the membership are women, and the Officer positions reflect a similar distribution.
Posse uniforms are worn at designated events. The Posse has had a long, historical affiliation with the Santa Fe County Sheriff's office. As a consideration for the historical background and recognitions of accomplishments of the Posse members of that era, the Posse uniforms continue to have a "deputy sheriff" appearance. However, since 1978, with the introduction of the NM SAR Act and Plan, the Posse has had no affiliation with Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, and does not serve as a law enforcement agency in any capacity.