SARASOTA, Fla. ( WWSB ) - The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office mounted patrol unit is increasing visibility during the busy holiday shopping season, with deputies on horseback patrolling commercial areas.

Sergeant Michael Jackson, who has been with the sheriff’s office for 22 years, leads the unit known as the Four Horsemen. Jackson has spent 19 years with the department in the mounted patrol.

“I’ve done patrol. I’ve done school resource officer. I’ve done a full gamut of things at the sheriff’s office, and Mountain Patrol has been a calling for me my entire career,” Jackson said.

The unit consists of nine deputies and 10 horses. Jackson said the deputies form strong partnerships with their horses.

“We form a bond with our equine partners, and there’s nothing else I would rather do,”

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