Calgary police have just introduced their newest four-legged member: Ortona, a 12-year-old Percheron cross gelding.

Ortona used to compete in show jumping events and is expected to be a "friendly addition" to the CPS mounted unit, according to a police release.

The police service horse replaces Ranger, a 10-year-old gelding who had been with the force for five years before passing away in November.

Ortona is named to pay tribute to the Canadian veterans who fought in the the Battle of Ortona, which occurred in Italy during the Second World War in December 1943.

More than 1,300 Canadians were killed and roughly 960 were wounded during that week of fighting.

In 2016, the CPS implemented a new naming tradition, under which all new horses are to be named after historical Canadian battle honours. The distinction is determined by The Canadian Forces and provides public recognition for participation in significant battles.

Ortona is the second horse to be named under this new tradition, following Vimy, who joined the unit in June.

Calgary police say having officers on horseback allows for higher observation vantage points and greater effectiveness in urban search and rescue, crowd management and de-escalation, as well as patrolling in parks, wooded areas, and riverbanks.