South Yorkshire Police horse retires after 12 years
Burngreave, known as Bernie, is off to enjoy a more relaxed life in a new home
Last updated 25th Mar 2021
A South Yorkshire Police horse is retiring from the force after 12 years of service.
PH Burngreave, also known as Bernie, is starting a more relaxed life in a new home after being a key part of the Mounted Unit.
He started his service in 2009 at the age of eight. He's mainly been partnered with Sergeant Dave Driver, who's also recently retired from the force.
Sergeant Driver said: “Bernie hit the ground running when he joined SYP and our first big event was an English Defence League protest in Warwickshire."
“A lit firework was thrown underneath Bernie and exploded with a loud bang and sparks flying everywhere, Bernie did not move a hoof, he stood his ground like a pro.
"...from that day forward I had the upmost trust in him, that we build a strong relationship on.
“Over the years we have been all over the country on mutual aid deployments as well as policing our own patch of South Yorkshire."
He added: "The highlights of both our careers include working for three weeks in London for the Olympics, patrolling Olympic Park each day with up to 500,000 people at each time, we even got to meet David Beckham!"
Bernie will be 20 this summer and will be retiring from police work due to health issues. He's now heading to a new 'forever home' in West Yorkshire.