In order to become a San Jose Police Mounted Unit Officer, an officer needs to on the police department for at least 3 years. When an opening arises in the mounted unit an officer must fill out an application for selection to a specialized unit. The testing process includes a physical agility test, a verbal interview with the unit commander and a unit supervisor. A current mounted unit officer will also ask questions in order to test the officers' knowledge regarding the operation of the mounted unit and the responsibilities of a mounted officer.

Part of the interview is judged on how well the officer is able to articulate his/her verbal skills for public speaking which is a major part of a mounted officers' assignment since the officer talks with the public everyday and on occasion conducts school presentations.

Before an officer begins the official mounted unit training, she/he has the option of riding a horse with the units' civilian trainer to see if assignment to the mounted unit is a position that fits his/her physical skills and learning ability. Once the testing process is completed the officer's scores will be ranked from highest to lowest. The officer with the highest rating is eligible for selection to the mounted unit and begins a 3 month riding academy with a 1 month field training program with senior riders in the mounted unit.

Most officers entering the riding academy have little or no experience with riding horses. This is not necessarily equated as a negative for mounted recruits, and lack of experience should not hinder an officers attempt to try out for the mounted unit. The riding academy will teach the officer to ride a specific style that will instill confidence in the officer to maintain control over the horse in any given situation the officer encounters during the course of assignment in the mounted unit which lasts 5 years.

The mounted unit academy covers a wide variety of subjects including; healthcare for the horse, breeds, colors and patterns, the physical conformation and anatomy, the psychology of the horse. The use and care for the tack and equipment, various types of riding disciplines which include; English, Western, Dressage, Jumping, bareback are also taught. Riding with and without reins, unit formations and crowd control techniques on horseback are tested on a weekly basis. After the in class and physical training, the officer will complete a mid-term test and a final examination on all of the subjects regarding horsemanship and equitation. In addition, there are weekly riding evaluations of various riding patterns within the arena, scored by the units' civilian trainer to gauge how well the riders' skills have progressed during the academy. If the recruit mounted officer successfully completes the 3 month riding academy, he/she will participate in the formal graduation ceremony with the entire unit participating.

During the graduation ceremony the newly recruited mounted officers demonstrate their skills they learned to an audience that includes dignitaries, invited guests and mounted officers in attendance. This musical ride program is designed to show off the rider's skill of equitation, "the art of riding in harmony with their mount." After completing this part of the ceremony the rider will be awarded their "crossed sabers" which is the emblem which is a sign of the cavalry (crossed sabers are on the Friends of the San Jose Mounted Unit logo). The new recruits have now earned the right and respect to lead the unit out of the arena.