Officer Blanche was born in Savannah, Georgia and raised in Ridgecrest, California until his family came to Ventura County in 1997. He worked as an ATA Taekwondo Instructor, Taco Bell Team Member, Mervyns Associate, and a Janitor before he became a Mail Carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, which he did for 9 years. He recalls, “While at the post office, I would see adults working in their garages or chilling 3-4 times a week. I inquired why they were always home and what they did. The response was that they were in law enforcement and only working 3 days a week earning twice as much as I was currently making. I went on a ride along and noticed how well officers worked together to achieve a common goal despite any differences in personalities. I loved the teamwork mentality I observed that day and started the application process. Once I was given a conditional job offer, I put in my two-week notice at the Post Office. I still have a lot of postal friends.
”Patrick began his career with the Oxnard Police Department in 2006 and has since worked as a DETAC Instructor, Range Safety Officer, Range Master, Field Training Officer, Pre-Academy Tac Officer, and he is currently a Motor Officer in the Traffic Unit. When asked what his favorite assignment has been so far, Officer Blanche replied, “I loved being a Field Training Officer. Sharing basic knowledge, patience, and understanding different types of learning styles was an enjoyable challenge. Traffic is now my current favorite assignment. My favorite thing is working with a close-knit team to enhance the level of safety within the City of Oxnard. I get to talk with the community during events and festivals, speak with kids at schools, and work with the senior citizen community to enhance traffic safety awareness. I love working on cases that involve math, science, computer technology, warrants, and DUI/DRE investigations. …and, I can’t believe that I get paid to ride a motorcycle every day that I work.
”Officer Blanche and his wife (Oxnard P.D. Community Service Officer Genna Blanche) have three boys (11, 8, and 3). Outdoors, all the Blanche boys play soccer, baseball, and flag football together. Indoors, they play Call of Duty and Fortnite. Fun Fact: Patrick makes it a point to learn a new skill every year. Examples? He says, “I don't want to share what they are because they are mine…”