BLAIRSVILLE, GA –Jenny Rhodes doesn’t see anything special in being the first female officer in Blairsville, “I’m just doing my job,” she said. However, in today’s society, women are continually making strides forward.
Rhodes entered law enforcement after her children became old enough, and she wanted a rewarding career. She started at the Union County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) jail before becoming deputy, and she continues to work there. She’s only part-time at the Blairsville Police Department. The two organizations have a working relationship, where some UCSO deputies work part-time at the city’s PD and vice versa.
“They’re like my big brothers,” said Rhodes of her fellow officers, “Everybody here is super nice. The Chief is good. They treat me like one of the guys.”
But, she continues to stress this is just her job. It’s a role that she enjoys doing and makes the most of the opportunities provided to her.
Police Chief Michael Baxter commented, “This day and time, we deal with as many females – it’s probably 50/50 split – as far as arrests and that type thing. It’s more important to have [a woman] on staff.”
He also cited budgetary reasons. If the department needed to pick up a female suspect, two men would have to retrieve her due to accountability and protection against potential lawsuits from the suspect. However, they only need to send one woman to pick up or to search a female suspect.
Baxter commended Rhodes on her ability to do the job. She understands her duties and has the experience to back it up. “We didn’t expect it to be any different, she does as well as anybody,” he stated.
Rhodes was the most qualified candidate for the job, and that earned her the position. The fact that she is the first female officer just happened that way.
Blairsville City Council approved her hiring during the Oct. 2019 meeting.
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For budgetary reasons? I can't believe in this day and age that police departments still continue to save a few dollars and send a singular officer to make an arrest. Seriously, how much money is it worth to protect the officer and send a back-up? Can anyone really place a dollar amount on a human life?