NYPD officer promoted after chasing suspect on horseback leading to arrest

UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- An NYPD officer who stopped a purse snatcher on the Upper West Side was promoted on Friday.

Body camera video showed the officer and his trusty steed chase down a suspect two weeks ago.

The officer Kyle McLaughlin spoke next to his partner in 'fighting' crime in Lower Manhattan at the promotion ceremony.

The hot pursuit happened on West 72nd Street when a mounted NYPD officer was chasing after an alleged purse snatcher.

Officer Kyle McLaughlin made an arrest that day.

The 13-year veteran was promoted to Detective Specialist.

His family, including 4 kids, all watching proudly while his partner, Kelly, was waiting patiently outside.

"I was working Kelly out. We were going to Central Park. We happened to stumble upon a purse snatch in progress. After a small pursuit, I was able to apprehend the individual," McLaughlin said.

"I'm just really proud of him. He loves doing what he does. His horse is amazing. They're great partners. You always need to trust your partner. And I think he always has Kyle's back," his wife said.

McLaughlin has been a mounted officer for 7 years. The unit is often out at parades and protests.

The purse snatching suspect has 14 prior arrests and is on lifetime parole for a murder in 2000.

Kelly is 23 years old, which is not young by horse standards. He's got another four years before he's allowed to retire from the force. But he's showing no sign of slowing down.

Kelly was a racehorse. He was up for slaughter, and the Standardbred Association adopted him, and then the NYPD adopted him, which led them to be partners in 2020.

Kelly's named after fallen police officer John M Kelly.

Kelly, doing his namesake and the department proud.

But unlike his partner, Kelly did not get a promotion today, just a whole lot of adulation.

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