被视为“城市名片”的大连女子骑警队，近日因被市民质疑养马成本高、“越位担当”表演职能等而陷入争议漩涡。
Policewomen on horseback, once regarded as a signature image of Dalian, Liaoning province, recently triggered debate on whether it is worthwhile to spend a lot of money on them. Liu Debin / for China Daily
Dalian (CNS) — Some residents of Dalian have accused the city's female mounted police unit of squandering resources and not servicing the real needs of public security, according to reports on Wednesday.
Modeled after Canada's iconic Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Dalian's all-female version was formed in December 1994 to spice up the city's image.
The regiment can be seen patrolling popular tourist areas in their ceremonial garb of blue jackets, black helmets and elaborate sabres.
The unit has a training base covering about 30,000 square meters, and all of its horses are thoroughbreds supplied by the Hong Kong Jockey Club through a grant.
Debate over the force arose after former Dalian police officer Zhao Ming said running the near two-decade-old force was a "waste of taxpayer money."
Zhao called for disclosure of the police unit's approval procedures, staff quotas and horse care expenses to the public.
The Dalian Public Security Bureau (DPSB) responded on Tuesday by releasing information about the mounted police unit, such as its development, functions and horse care costs.
The bureau's statistics show that maintaining expenses for each horse is 2,500 yuan (408 US dollars) per month, including feed, medicine and other necessities.
Some locals want the female officers to stay on their horses, however. "They are a beautiful sight," said one resident.
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