A new endowment to fund the Santa Maria Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Unit will serve as a reminder of a law enforcement supporter who also was extremely fond of horses.

During the Santa Maria Police Council’s annual fundraiser Friday night, organizers announced the creation of the Jim Glines Memorial Endowment in memory of the long-time banker, rodeo supporter, auctioneer and Police Council member.

James “Jim” Glines, who died in February, served as the first president of Police Council when it started in 2007, current Executive Director Mike Gibson said. 

At the June 2024 Police Council fundraiser Glines again served as the event’s auctioneer. He had been on the organization’s board since its inception and did a second term as president in 2010-11.

“We’re going to do something kind of special tonight,” Gibson said. “This year for the paddle raise, instead of it going to a particular fund, a need, we’re going to set up an endowment in Jim Glines’ honor.”

The endowment’s earnings over time will support the Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Unit.

“As many of you know, horses were something that he truly loved,” Gibson said. “He was the driving force in getting our Mounted Patrol Unit set up in the first place.”

“This is kind of a special thing for us,” Gibson said before handing it off to the night’s auctioneer and Glines’ son, John. “Please be generous.”

For the paddle raise, the auctioneer announced an amount and urged bidders to raise their paddles to donate. 

“Horses and the cowboy way of life were very, very important to my dad,” John Glines said. “When he had an opportunity to work with Santa Maria PD and pitch an equestrian unit, it meant a lot to him. It was something that he took very seriously and he thought the city of Santa Maria needed.”

“There’s not much better crowd control than a horse,” Glines added.

The effort raised roughly $72,000 for the mounted unit endowment through donations ranging from $5,000 to $500.

In addition to funding for the equestrian unit endowment, the event raised $81,000 during the auction along with another $16,000 by auctioning off various desserts, pushing the night’s total to approximately $170,000.

The dinner started off with statements by new Chief Christopher Williams and Glenn Morris, Police Council president.

The Police Council’s 16th annual fundraiser began with a golf tournament at the Santa Maria Country Club, followed by the dinner, auction and performance by comedian Greg Warren. 

In the past, the Police Council events have funded various types of equipment and training for the Police Department including the agency’s unmanned aerial systems or drones.