Meet the Officers of the Mounted Patrol

Captain Kelly Beckett

I started with MPD in 2005 as a patrol officer in the east district. Since then, I have worked in multiple districts and have held multiple positions. I was promoted to Detective in 2011, Detective Sergeant in 2018, Lieutenant in 2019 and Captain in 2021.  I currently serve as the Executive Captain of Operations for the department where I am fortunate to oversee both the MPD K9 and Mounted Patrol Units.  I am very proud of the work that our Mounted Patrol does!

Lieutenant Chanda Dolsen

I began my law enforcement career in 1998 in Indiana, where I served as an Indiana State Trooper.  In 2006, I joined the Madison Police Department because I believed strongly in its Community Based Policing philosophy.  Throughout my 20 years with MPD, I have had the opportunity to work in multiple districts, on different shifts, and in a variety of assignments.  I was promoted to Sergeant in 2022 and Lieutenant in 2025.  I was especially honored when I was offered the opportunity to serve as the Commander of the MPD Mounted Patrol.

My experience with horses is limited, but my experience leading and working with small teams is extensive.  What I have quickly come to understand is that this unit is something special.  The members of the Mounted Patrol work incredibly hard not only to support their fellow officers, but also to build meaningful connections with the community.  Perhaps most importantly, they can help heal a divide for people who may not have the strongest relationship with or feelings toward law enforcement.

Horses have a unique ability to bring people together.  They create opportunities for conversation, curiosity and connection in ways that traditional police interactions sometimes cannot.  The Mounted Patrol gives us another way to engage with our community, strengthen relationships and remind people that behind the badge are people who care deeply about the community they serve.  I am excited about the opportunities ahead for the Mounted Patrol Team and the Madison community.


Officer Molly Thomson

Full-Time Rider

I have been an officer with the Madison Police Department since 2005. In addition to patrol services, I’ve worked as a member of a Community Policing Team, Criminal Investigative Services, and as a grenadier on the Special Events Team. I enjoy participating in community events and other opportunities to engage with the community, especially while on bicycle. I joined the Mounted Unit in 2016 and am enjoying the challenges and rewards of working with a horse.

Officer Thomas Coyne

Full-Time Rider

I have worked for the Madison Police Department since 2013 and joined the mounted patrol unit in 2019 as a part-time rider.  I’ve been fortunate enough to spend time as a Neighborhood Resource Officer in the South District and the City of Madison’s Addiction Resource Officer. I will begin serving as a full-time rider on the unit beginning 2023.  I enjoy the challenge and reward of a human and animal working relationship.  The partnership developed by rider and horse through training and trust is truly remarkable.  I value the approachability of our Mounted Unit and our effectiveness in crowds or search and rescue environments.  The support from our community members is incredible and we enjoy the opportunity for people to interact with us and the horses. Giddy up!

Sargent Nicholas Hill

Part-Time Rider

I started with MPD in 2019 and work in Patrol. I just recently joined the Mounted unit and look forward to meeting the community on horseback. I’ve always admired horses and seeing the interactions with the community is great. I spent a limited number of times learning to trail ride and watching my sister do barrel racing. I look forward to getting back “in the saddle” and engaging with the community. I look forward to trotting through a neighborhood near you and introducing myself.

Officer Jessie Luedke

Part-Time Rider

I have been with the City of Madison Police Department since 2018 working as a night shift patrol officer. I have had horses my whole life and have always loved working with them. In 2013 I became interested in policing and discovered that Madison Police Department had a Mounted patrol unit. I reached out to the officers to learn more about the unit and they invited me to visit them. During this visit I learned how the horses could be a great tool for community outreach as well as a tactical advantage in specific circumstances. That experience brought me to the Madison Police department and I am excited to have the opportunity to be on the other side of that coin, now as an officer on the unit. I am honored to be a part of this unit and am excited to continue bringing the horses to the community.

Officer Elizabeth Erickson

Part-Time Rider

I have worked for the City of Madison Police Department since 2018. I am originally from MN but I enjoy the milder winters and lakes around here. I currently work out of the North District as a patrol officer. I also wear many hats and am involved with many different specialty groups and outreach groups within the department. I enjoy our community and I hope to continue to bridge gaps and build stronger relationships with our citizens. I love animals and think they can be a versatile medium to break the ice and teach us valuable life lessons.

Officer Rebecca Hoven

Part-Time Rider

I have been a patrol officer with the Madison Police Department since 2019. I am assigned full time as a Community Outreach Officer and part-time on the Mounted Unit. I have spent most of my career thus far operating out of the West Police District. In addition to the Mounted Patrol Unit; I am a member of the Special Events Team, a mental health liaison, and a reality-based training actor. Ever since a young age I have had a passion for horses and enjoyed riding them every chance I got. Someone once told me “do what you love but call it work”; this really speaks to me as I am able to work in partnership with the horses and engage with the community in a unique way, all while carrying out my duties as a police officer.

Officer Cat Marino

Part-Time Rider

I have worked for the City of Madison Police Department since 2019. I currently work out of the South District as a patrol officer. In addition to having the privilege to be a member of the Mounted Patrol Unit I am also a mental health liaison and a member of the Special Events Team. I love animals and see the Mounted Unit as a wonderful opportunity to build bridges with the community and make lasting positive impressions. I look forward to continuing to grow with the unit and interacting with the community with the horses.

Officer Jeff Hayes

Part-Time Rider

I have been an officer with MPD since 2020.  Prior to that I spent 19 years in commercial lending.  I am honored and blessed to be part of the Madison Police Department and starting this year with the Mounted Patrol Unit.  I have worked in the city’s West and Midtown districts in the afternoon shifts in a patrol capacity.  I also serve as a mental health liaison officer, am a member of our recruiting cadre, and serve on the Honor Guard.  I was drawn to working with the Mounted Patrol Unit after having seen the horses, and riders, in action during the Mifflin Block Party in 2021.  I was impressed at how they altered the dynamic of a very stressful situation in a safe and positive way.  I have always loved animals and my sister is a horse owner but I certainly would not say I was “horse ready” until our riding academy spring 2023. After four weeks of intensive training I am ready and looking forward to being in the neighborhoods confidently riding while being an ambassador from the department to our community.  My thanks to MPD, the Friends of Madison Mounted, and our wonderful city for the support and privilege to be a part of this unit.