Sheriff’s Office has first female motorcycle cop

Even in 2010, women are still breaking down barriers.

The New Hanover County Sheriff’s office has appointed its first female alcohol field enforcement deputy.

“I’m getting used to being one of the guys,” Deputy Kristin Blanchard laughs.

But Deputy Blanchard is more than just one of the guys. She’s the first of her kind. The first woman on the sherrif’s SAFE unit.

“In general women have come a long way in law enforcement, military over all,” Deputy Blanchard says, “But sometimes it’s challenging because of my size. But there’s other smaller women and men out there who can do it, and if they can do it, so can I.”

Only 17 percent of all sworn New Hanover County Sheriff’s Deputies are women. What’s more Deputy Blanchard is again in a minority. Now, she is one of six select officers in the Sheriff’s Alcohol Field Enforcement unit, or SAFE, since its creation more than 20 years ago. While patrol officers respond to 911 calls and complaints, SAFE’s main responsibility is to reduce the number of speeders, drunk drivers, and patrolling school zones.

The unit also has six Harley Davidson motorcycles. One of which will be Deputy Blanchard’s. That makes her the only female deputy on a bike.

“I’m excited about it but if I said there was no fear, or I wasn’t intimidated then I would be lying,” Deputy Blanchard said.

At the Harley Davidson on Market Street, Blanchard’s bike is being lowered and the seat is replaced. The modifications are to better fit Deputy Blanchard’s small five foot three frame. Technitions at the Harley shop say this is the first time they’ve done this kind of work on a sheriff’s bike.

New Hanover County Sheriff, Ed McMahon says Deputy Blanchard is up to the challenge that comes along with being in his specialized unit. Her appointment is more about her qualifications, than her gender.

“I think it’s a sidemark really, that she’s a female,” Sheriff McMahon said. “I think it should absolutely be encouraging to those young girls out there that if you can put your mind to something you can do it.”

Deputy blanchard started with the sherriff’s office in 2005. About a year ago, Sheriff McMahon also appointed his first female chief deputy.