FROM city centre riots to friendly school visits, the Notts Police mounted section was a symbol of law and order.
But with a controversial vote by Notts Police Authority at County Hall in June, it was banished into history.
Now the new Notts police and crime commissioner has pressed for a review which could turn back the clock.
Paddy Tipping met Chief Constable Chris Eyre on Tuesday and asked the force to think again.
Mr Tipping said: "The chief constable is going to put together a report on the costs of reintroduction.
"I've also asked him to look at operational value of the unit and whether there's the possibility of sharing the horses with other police forces and a review of sponsorship opportunities for them."
He added he expected the report to be finished by Christmas before he finalises his first budget in January. The police authority scrapped the unit – after the force said disbanding it would save £93,000 a year – despite a 2,000-name petition opposing it.
The police authority was effectively disbanded when Mr Tipping was elected to his new role on a Labour party ticket on November 16. As one of the UK's 41 commissioners, he is in charge of scrutinising the force and setting its budgets.
He is supported by a police and crime panel, chaired by John Clarke, leader of Gedling Borough Council and former authority member.
Mr Clarke, who opposed the scrapping of the unit and backed the petition, said: "I've got sympathy with the force and the cuts they have to make but the £90,000 was a drop in the ocean and they failed to listen to people's views."
But another former member of the authority, Alan Street, warned: "It's saved £90,000 but it could now be three, four or five times that amount to reinstate it now and it wouldn't become operational again for 12 months."
He added: "I understand Mr Tipping wants to have a view on it but is it in the top three priorities for the force?"
A police spokeswoman said that four of the unit's seven horses had either been retired as pets or gone to sanctuaries, while three had been sent to work for other forces.
The force said an early release from a vehicle hire contract now means the force expects to save £105,000 each year from losing the unit.
She added: "It has been a sad loss for the whole force and was not a decision taken lightly."
What do you think about the review? Contact Chris Breese on chris.breese@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk.
