Meet South Dakota Highway Patrol’s First Female Biker Trooper
It’s been thirty years since the South Dakota Highway Patrol used motorcycles to pursue lawbreakers on the road. Despite returning them to the force, they are still only going to have three in use throughout the state — one in Sioux Falls, one in Pierre, and one in Rapid City.
They chose six officers to man these Harley-Davidson Police Special motorcycles, and they trained them for two weeks for the job. Among those officers was Chasney Ford, and she is currently breaking barriers for the state of South Dakota by being their first ever female biker cop!
Highway Patrol Captain Kevin Karley explained that she was chosen simply because she was right for the job. She was an excellent officer who rode motorcycles, so was clearly a reasonable choice alongside the other five officers chosen.
And Ford feels the same way, stating that she had grown up through the military and law enforcement, and really didn’t feel any different from the guys. Still, standing at just 5’5″ tall and weighing only about 120 pounds, Ford admits that it can be difficult at times, and says that the two week training was one of the hardest things she’s ever done.
Still, she enjoys it and encourages other women to pursue the field.
Ford is a Sturgis native, so it should surprise no one that the new fleet of police hogs will be coming to the 75th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August!
Feel free to read more on the story and even watch a video by KOTA News regarding her feat in both the motorcycle and law enforcement worlds. It’s always great to see barriers being broken, and when it’s done while riding a Harley-Davidson it’s even better!