WOMEN POLICE TRAINEES

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27495, 1 November 1954, Page 12

WOMEN POLICE TRAINEES

FIRST COURSE AT LYTTELTON EMPHASIS ON YOUTH WELFARE WORK (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 30. The first training course for woman constables at the Police. Training School at Lyttelton will start next Tuesday. The Minister -in charge of Police (Mr W. H. Fortune) said today that the small class of recruits would be the special charge of the police instructor at Lyttelton (Sergeant p. Holtoam) aqd Mrs Holtham during their five weeks’ course. “Though the women’s course will in many respects be similar to that of the men, a most important part ot toe training will deal with toe welfare pt young people,” said the Minister. “The trainees will visit children's homes, hospital nursing homes, old people's homes, the prison and probation service, the Supreme Court, the Magistrate's Court, and women’s organisations,” said Mr Fortune. When applications for the women’s division of the force were being considered, said the Minister, account was takeii of first-aid and nursing experience, athletic ability, welfare activities, participation in women’s activities, and ability to speak to a public meeting and to drive a car. One of the five women to attend the course, Miss J. B. Blackburn, of Christchurch, had represented ’ New Zealand at toe 1954 Empire Games at Vancouver, said Mr Fortune, and another was a representative hockey player, one of toe recruits served in the Mr Force during the Second World War, and one was until recently employed as a civilian clerk-typist at a police district headquarters.