Women in policing: 100 years of milestones

Celebrating our ex
We take a look at the major milestones
that have shaped the NSWPF in the 100
years since women joined its ranks.
and memorabilia. Over the
past 12 months the History &
Achievements Working Party
has gathered a range of historic
information and photographs
to support each of the events
and displays.
A
Our beautiful book
fter 12 months of planning,
we’re ready to celebrate 100
Years of Women in Policing in NSW.
Thanks to the work of the WIP100
Steering Committee, the various
working parties and dozens of men
and women who helped out, a
variety of events and celebrations
6 Police Monthly March 2015
have been planned throughout
the year.
Celebrations kicked off last week
with the 100 Years of Women in
Policing Expo.
An important part of celebrating
our history has been gathering
historic legacies, memories
We have also used this information
to produce a beautifully bound
book, set to be launched on 1 July,
to coincide with the appointment
of our first female special
constables, Lillian Armfield KPFSM
and Maude Rhodes.
Divided into decades, it
showcases the stories of
our female pioneers, their
achievements and other significant
milestones relating to women in
policing over the past century.
At $25 each, the limited print run
of the book is expected to sell out
fast. Beat the rush by pre-ordering
your copy at the many Women in
Policing events planned over the
coming months.
Find out more on the intranet
by searching for 100 Years of
Women in Policing in NSW or email:
[email protected].
MAIN PHOTO 80 years of
women in policing parade 1995
traordinary history
1915
The NSW Police
Department advertises two
positions for female police and
appoint Lillian Armfield KPFSM
(right) and Maude Rhodes as
probationary special constables.
Female recruits are required to sign
an indemnity releasing the Police
Department of any responsibility for
their safety. Maude resigned in 1920
for a career in health management
and welfare, while Lillian served
for 33 years and retired with no
remuneration in 1949.
1925
Clerical officer
Ursula Freda Meenaghan is the
first female shorthand-writer
and typist.
1941
Strength increases
to 14 policewomen after six
women were selected from
more than 500 who applied.
1929
Strength increases
to eight policewomen with the
recruitment of Ellen Bennett,
Rose Cuneen and Eva Rosser to
join Lillian Armfield KPFSM, Mary
Paulett, Nellie Mooney, Nellie
Mitchell and Mary Madden.
March 2015 Police Monthly 7
1947
Women are
granted membership of
the Police Association,
26 years after it was formed.
Lillian Armfield KPFSM is the
first woman in the British
Empire to receive the King’s
Police & Fire Service Medal
(KPFSM). The first three
female office assistants
are employed.
1958
Strength
increases to 50 policewomen.
Janice Mossfield and Noellie
Hobart are the first women
to participate in the passing
out parade.
1965
The NSWPF
celebrates 50 years of women
in policing and 58 women
are sworn in under the
Police Regulation (Women
Police) Amendment Act 1964.
Women are awarded full
police powers, conditions
and entitlements. Registered
numbers begin at 01 and the
designation ‘policewoman’
is created. Separate seniority
system is maintained.
1948 Amy Millgate and
After 29 years
of service, Beth Hanley QPM
is the first female promoted
to commissioned officer and
is named Most Outstanding
Policewoman.
1959
Women train
alongside male recruits – except
for physical training, swimming
and pistol practice.
1967
Del Fricker BEM
receives the British Empire
Medal for her involvement in
the 1963 arrest of a violent
offender wanted for rape.
1961
Women are
permitted to remain in
employment after marriage.
Strength increases
to 31 policewomen.
1950
The first female
clerks, Rosie Cumines and Joyce
Shaw, are appointed.
1957 Joanna Suchy is the
first migrant woman employed.
Patricia Clancy is the first
female police driver.
8 Police Monthly March 2015
Del Fricker BEM
and Gwen Martin are accepted
into the Detectives Training
Course. Policewomen lobby to
establish a Women’s Branch in
the NSW Police Association but
are rejected. Lillian Armfield
KPFSM dies aged 87 years.
Penny Miller joins the Special
Weapons & Operations Squad
and Nerida Keeley joins the
Emergency Squad.
1972
Gladys Johnson join Traffic
Branch. They develop the first
female uniform.
1949
1971
1970
1964 Clerical officer
Marilyn Walton begins 38 years
with police.
Nerida Keeley,
Gwen Martin and Jill Frazer
are awarded the Diploma
in Criminology from Sydney
University. Del Fricker BEM
is awarded the WD&HO Wills
Trophy for Most Outstanding
Policewoman.
1973
The Women’s
Branch is established within the
NSW Police Association. The
first Aboriginal public servant,
Doreen Peters starts 38 years
with police. Jan Cordell is
pictured below, undercover.
1974 Promotional
exams are now open to
policewomen. Female
detectives are issued with
firearms. Barbara Galvin and
Jacqueline Milledge – later
Senior Deputy State Coroner
and now a magistrate –
are our first female police
prosecutors. Unsworn
female officers begin
broadcasting over VKG. The
first female parking patrol
officers are appointed.
1976
Female recruits
are given integrated registered
numbers. Christine Nixon APM,
Christine Ridley, Margaret White
and Claire Britton are transferred
to general duties. Insp Del
Fricker BEM is appointed officer
in charge of the Women Police
Office. Beth Hanley QPM is
awarded the Queen’s Police
Medal. Pictured below, Before
their respective promotions,
are Chief Commissioner of
Victoria Police Christine Nixon
APM with her father, Assistant
Commissioner Ross Nixon.
1975
The NSWPF
celebrates 60 years of
women in policing (below).
The Commonwealth signs
the International Labour
Organisation Covenant, which
discourages discrimination
especially in relation to women,
and the NSWPF is required to
comply. A committee reported
back to the Commissioner
in 1976 but recommended
maintaining the status quo.
Dianne Gould (née Bennett)
is the first woman to receive
maternity leave (back dated).
Policewomen are integrated
into the promotion system and
issued with handcuffs. Cathy
Brown is appointed to the
Scientific Investigation Section.
1979
Policewomen are
issued with firearms, provided
the same training as men
and have the same selection
criteria for the Detectives
Training Course. Gwen Martin
is appointed to the NSW
Police Association executive.
Jill Frazer (below) is awarded
Policewoman of the Year for
bravery when assaulted while
arresting an offender. This
ultimately led to the amputation
of her left leg and her death.
1982
Strength increases
to 307 female officers and
the Spokeswomen’s Network
is established. Sandra May
is the first female Aboriginal
officer. Cst Janet McGillivray
is the first female mounted
officer. Glynnis Lapham APM
(above, left) and Carolyn ‘CJ’
Smith APM (below) are the first
female negotiators.
1980
1977 NSW Parliament
passes the Anti-Discrimination
Act. Del Fricker BEM is awarded
the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal.
1978 Strength increases
to 112 policewomen. The
Women’s Coordination Unit
provides a scathing report to
the Premier about the 1975
report on the position of women
in policing. It recommends
better training, integration and
affirmative action. All noncommissioned female officers
are integrated into male ranks
and seniority list.
The NSW Police
Force abandons its quota
system for female recruits
after Victoria Carr lodges
a complaint with the AntiDiscrimination Board. Elaine
Thompsett is rejected on the
grounds of her marital status
and successfully appeals.
Christine Simpson is attached
to the Police Air Wing as an
observer. Jennifer Sheehy is
appointed to highway patrol.
Linda Ebsworth is the first
female country Aboriginal
community liaison officer.
1981 The classification
‘Woman Police Officer’ is
removed and the Women’s
Branch of the Police Association
is abolished. The Equal
Employment Opportunity
Branch is established. Phyllis
Kelly heads the first Sexual
Assault Patrol.
1983
Val Bryant is
the first female highway
patrol cyclist.
1984 Strength increases
to 720 women. Patricia Hynds is
the first female GDs inspector.
Lisa Ford is the first female
police diver. Sally Verhage is
the first female rescue squad
operator. Leela Smith is the first
civilian ethnic liaison officer.
March 2015 Police Monthly 9
1985
The NSWPF
celebrates 70 years of women
in policing (below). Jane Hanford
joins the Arson Squad.
Jane Ridley is appointed
manager of Balmain PCYC.
Diane Elphinstone is the
first female clerical officer
to complete the Criminal
Intelligence Analyst Course.
1989 Strength increases
to 1293 women. Anne Clarke
APM, Lyn Bouffler, Elizabeth
Reeks and Rowena Lucas
complete the Tactical Response
Group course. Jane Pringle is the
first female officer appointed to
a single unit station.
1990 A taskforce
1986
Lynda Summers
is the first female Stock
Squad investigator and is
responsible for the Walgett
and Bourke police districts.
Lisa Ford is the first female
in the Water Police.
1987 Thasaniya Long
is the first multicultural
liaison officer.
is established to review
sex-based harassment. The
Commissioner’s Taskforce on
the Status of Women & Minority
Groups is established. Bev
Lawson APM is the first female
superintendent as Wollongong
Patrol Commander.
1994 Christine Nixon
APM is the first female assistant
commissioner. Debbie Lee is
the first female dog handler
and tops the course. Julie
Middlemiss joins the Blue
Mountains Rescue Squad.
2001 Christine Nixon
1995 The NSW Police
Force celebrates 80 years of
Women in Policing. Strength
increases to 1719 women,
with seven at commissioned
officer rank.
1992 The Anti-
Discrimination Board inquiry
into pregnancy discrimination
hears evidence from female
officers. Pamela Kestel is
appointed as Police Chaplain.
Esther McKay is the first female
vehicle examiner.
2000
Following 36
years of service, Jan Griffiths
retires as the last police matron
responsible for prisoner welfare
for the courts.
APM (below) becomes
Australia’s first female police
commissioner when she is
appointed Victoria’s 19th
commissioner. Nola Watson
is the first female director of
the Information & Intelligence
Centre and is named a Telstra
Businesswoman of the Year,
winning the Corporation &
Government Award. Helen
Begg is the first female squad
commander at Crime Agencies.
The first intake of civilian scene
of crimes officers includes two
women, Jennifer Raymond and
Nicole Greenway.
1997
Bev Lawson APM
(below) is the first female deputy
commissioner. Lola Scott is the
first female region commander.
1993 Bev Lawson
APM is the first female chief
superintendent and district
commander. Lola Scott is the
first female patrol tactician. Ida
Luke APM is the first woman
to receive the Australian Police
Medal. Melissa Telford is the first
woman in the Police Band.
2004 Melanie Rose is
the first female radio technician.
2005
1988 The 1000th female
officer is sworn in and part time
maternity leave is trialled by five
officers. Bev Lawson APM is the
first female patrol commander.
10 Police Monthly March 2015
1998
Serving Deputy
Commissioner Bev Lawson APM
passes away, aged 58.
The NSW Police
Force celebrates 90 years
of Women in Policing.
Lee Shearer APM is the first
female commander of Legal
Services. Carlene York APM is
the first female commander
of Forensic Services.
2006
The
Commissioner’s Perpetual
Award for the Advancement
of Women in Policing is
established. Lynette Nelson PSM
is the first woman awarded the
Public Service Medal.
2007
The Ronalds
Report into sexual harassment,
intimidation and bullying of
female officers is handed down.
Nicole Rose PSM is appointed
Director of the Office of the
Commissioner. Julie Middlemiss
is the first female commander
of the Dog Squad. Kirsten
McFadden is the first female
commander at the Mounted Unit.
2008 Helen Begg
is named a Telstra
Businesswoman
of the Year,
Community &
Government
Award.
2010 Julie Middlemiss
is the first female principal of
the Police Academy.
2011 Women represent
24% of strength. Deputy
Commissioner Catherine Burn
APM (below) is named the
Telstra Businesswoman of the
Year. Clair Hodge is appointed
General Counsel. Tamara Kirby
is the first female commander
of the Weapons Training Unit.
2012 The Women’s
2014 Women represent
2013
The NSW Police
Force celebrates 100 years of
women in policing.
Leadership Program is
established for inspectors
and civilian staff at grade 9/10.
26.9% of strength.
2015
Karen Lowden
(below) is awarded the
International Association of
Women Police Medal of Valor for
assisting the fake collar bomb
victim. Coordinator of the MCLO
Program, Juliana Nkrumah AM is
awarded the Order of Australia.
Search the intranet for
‘100 years of Women
in Policing’ to find
out about upcoming
centenary celebrations.
BELOW From left, Snr Cst Leah
Giuffre, Snr Cst Alexandra Handley
and Cst Erin Rapley are among
the faces of the modern NSWPF