Mounted Unit - NSW Police Force

The New South Wales Mounted Police Unit is the oldest continuous operational Mounted unit in the world. It was formed by Governor Brisbane on the 7th September, 1825. In comparison the London Metropolitan Mounted Police were formed in 1828 and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1863. By 1830 the force was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Snodgrass. The more settled part of the colony was divided into divisions. The main detachment was stationed in Sydney; this incorporated the Governor's Guard. The city division was located at Belmore Barracks, which is the present site of Central Railway Station. There were three country divisions: they were the Western, at Bathurst; Argyle at Goulburn; and Hunter in Maitland. In the early 1900's the Mounted Police had a strength of over 800 personnel and over 900 horses. Most stations throughout the state had mounted units attached to them. It was during this time that the Mounted Police moved from Belmore Barracks to allow for the construction of Central Railway Station. Temporary accommodation was secured at Moore Park Showground, prior to occupying its present site in 1907, at the Bourke Street Police complex at Redfern.