FORMER LONDON POLICEWOMAN

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28835, 4 March 1959, Page 2

FORMER LONDON POLICEWOMAN

Miss S. Alloway Back In N.Z.

Twenty-six years in the London Metropolitan Police Force, in the last six of which she held the rank of superintendent, is the record of Miss Sophie Alloway, an Auckland-born woman, who arrived at Lyttelton last evening from London in the Sydney Star. Miss Alloway has now retired, and will probably live in New Zealand.

“I left New Zealand 29 years ago, Intending to travel and then return here,” said Miss Alloway. “Well, now I have returned/* In London she was persuaded to take up a career as a policewoman. After three months' training she was appointed a probationary constable for two years. She served in all parts of London. Policewomen, said Miss Alloway, had the same training as men, and although their work was largely among women, young girls, and children, they had the same responsibilities as meri, and might be called on to do the same duties. “At the police school we were taught tactics and conciliatory methods,” said Miss Alloway when asked about her experiences in the rougher districts of London. “These stood us in good stead, even in the most difficult situations.” Policewomen dealt mostly with children in need of parental control and with young girls lacking disipline. Miss Alloway served in London during the war. After the war she was sent to Germany, where i she served in the Control Commission of Public Safety.