WOMEN POLICE

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27425, 11 August 1954, Page 6

WOMEN POLICE

SIX DISTRICTS YET TO BE STAFFED

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 10. Members of the women’s division of the Police Force were on duty in nine of the 15 police headquarters districts, and policewomen would be placed in the remaining districts as soon as suitable office accommodation was available, said the Commissioner of Police tMr E. H. Compton) today. The two South Island districts so far without policewomen were Nelson and Timaru, and in the North Island the Hamilton. New Plymouth, and Gisborne districts had yet to find accommodation, which was the only factor delaying the postings. All policewomen have in recent months been put through a training course at police headquarters in Wellington, a basic course being provided for those more recently recruited and a refresher course for those who had been in the force for longer periods, some for over 12 years,” said Mr Compton. “When posted to a ’ district the policewoman finds her own residential accommodation and is paid accordingly. Remuneration is £615 a year to start, plus the general wage increase of 18s a week, but when the policewoman is employed in her proper role, a work for which not everyone is fitted, excellent value is given in return.” The department’s general policy was to post to the smaller districts a policewoman with some experience gained by service in one of the larger centres. Mr Compton said that for more than a year he had strongly pressed police officers in charge of districts to relieve the policewoman of clerical duties, so that she could be employed in hsr proper function, which concerned the prevention of crime against women and children. “To assist the policewomen carry out their vitally important duty,” said Mr Compton, “the Police Department wishes to promote close co-operation between members of the policewomen’s division and parents, and parent-teacher and women’s organisations. “The women’s division is an expanding service, and more policewomen will be engaged to ensure that all needs will be met as this excellent service becomes fully employed in its proper role, not that of clerk but of policewoman in the truest sense of the word.”