‘Women cops good leaders, problem-solvers’

Smartly dressed in uniform, hundreds of police women marched along the streets of Sydney amidst cheers of the large crowds that gathered to see the parade. It was a special occasion. The New South Wales (NSW) police women were celebrating the 100th anniversary. ‘100 Years of Women in Policing’ was the theme of the celebrations. 

It was on the same day that Sri Lanka police commemorated their 149th anniversary – 3 September 2015.

For NSW policewomen, the day also marked the completion of 50 years since women were officially ‘sworn in’ and given the full powers of a police officer.  

Summing up the success of police women, a female top official in the Police Force said that women make good leaders, are great at helping people and have fantastic problem-solving abilities. 

“Women want to make a positive difference. Women are good leaders and they are great in helping people and solving problems. These are the types of skills that fit well in a police environment,” the official - a Deputy Commissioner – told a local newspaper. 

She had joined the Force in 1984 and feels it was a very different one from today. “We are a mature, professional and well educated police force and I am extremely proud of the culture change that has taken place,” she said. She was one of the 700 officers who marched through the city.

In addition to the parade, a baton relay was held across the NSW state. It returned to Sydney Opera House after a journey to all 76 Local Area Commands in NSW. 

Starting with just two probationary constables the numbers have increased to 7,000 today. Females account for 35% of 22,045 strong NSW Police Force. Thirteen policewomen are Superintendents and two Major Operations Officers in the Emergency Services. 

When an advertisement appeared in the newspapers in 1915calling for applications for two positions for female police, nearly 500 applied. The two were recruited as Probationary Special Constables. They wire civilian clothes as they were not given uniforms.

By 1929 eight women had been recruited, increasing to 14 by 1941 because of wartime difficulties in recruiting men. In 1961 , one year after the centenary of the NSW police force, women were permitted to remain in police employment after marriage.

Although not more than two or three were recruited at a time, over the years the numbers increased. There were 50 by 1958. After fifty years a batch of 58 women was sworn in various ranks as regular officers. While they were given training in different types of police work and provided with facilities to continue their studies in subjects related to the police service, it was after the turn of the century they came into full recognition. In 2001 the first female Police Commissioner in Australia was appointed.