What They Think About Women Police

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 178, 26 April 1938, Page 5

What They Think About Women Police

Views And Opinions Of Women Who Know The Subject

AND OF OTHERS WHO KNOW THE NEED

r £HE need for women police has long been recognised by most thinking people in New Zealand. Some women s organisations and a few prominent women social workers have long advocated them, but not until to-day has there been such a favourable general public opinion. The trend of the times is partly responsible for this; the report of the committee set up by a body of prominent Wellington clergy and social workers gave emphasis to the need. Now almost every women’s organisation in New Zealand is agitating for their establishment.

However, little in the practical line has been suggested. It is easy to advocate what appears to be an urgent necessity for the betterment of national and civic life, but when consideration is given to the matter it is found to be one which needs careful and' judicious handling. The Dominion, interviewing a number of women who have studied the subject especially in relation to the adoption of police suitable to this country, found a variety of opinions.

The opinions are practical, if varying; they come from women whose knowledge of the subject has been gained from the older countries, or from policewomen who have visited this country; they come from women who constantly come into contact with cases which prove the need.

These women know the necessity for action, and if their opinions differ in detail, they are all in agreement in principle.

ATiSS M - ENGLAND, who probably has as much knowledge of the subject as any other woman in New Zealand, advocates, from her experience, here’ and in England, women with specialised training. “The only type of woman who would fill the requirements demanded by conditions here,” said Miss England; “are the type who are training in England, specially in a small force, such as Bristol.” Bristol University gives a diploma specially arranged for the needs of die police force. Having obtained whieffi the candidate, if accepted by the chief constable, is required to undergo a course of training in police duties under the supervision of the police officers themselves. If accepted, the woman officer becomes a full member of the force, with a fixed rate of pay and superannuation and the same right of arrest as the men.

Probably the shortest way of obtaining qualified women police would be, Miss England thought, to obtain them from England, .applications to be called for an experienced superintendent and four women capable of beginning the work in the four chief centres. Such appointments, say for a period of five years, would enable a training centre to be established for candidates, who should have matriculated, and, if possible, been given a short, specialised course at a university college, similar' to the English one.

Miss England emphasised that women police in New Zealand are required mainly for preventive ' work among women and children. If adequate and proper training is instituted from the beginning, Miss England felt that women police officers might be of great use in the larger cities of New Zealand and a valuable adjunct to the present police force.

'THE Women’s Christian Temperance Union was the first women’s organisation in the Dominion to advocate women police', and for 40 years, has been urging their adoption in this country. Mrs. N. Peryman, editor of tbe “White Ribbon,” the union’s official organ. well known for her part in promoting interest in the movement among her fellow countrywomen, believes the need for women police has become more urgent at the present day than it has ever been. “This is because of the increased leisure hours, the slackening of parental control, and because so many girls have, nowadays, to live away from home,” she said. Mrs. Peryman advocates good training for police women, but considers the Australian or American systems preferable to the English for dur conditions. They should be well educated, must’ have a good social background, a spiritual outlook on life, and must have outstanding personalities. Women police should not be expected to deal with criminals: their work should be mainly preventive. They would quickly repay the expense of their upkeep by precepting crime instead of trying to cure it.

Mrs. Peryman thinks tbeir work should concern young boys as well as girls; should include rescue work and court work. They should have the same status as the police, and they

should have the power of arrest. She considers it absolutely necessary for women police to undertake certain duties now being carried out by men, sucli as inquiries into cases of indecent assault, cruelty to women and children, patrolling of streets and parks. The presence of women police in the streets would prevent, she believes, much wrong-doing and assist in raising the standard of morality. R. GLOVER, one of the bestknown welfare workers in Wellington, and the first woman probation officer to be appointed by the Government, believes that the right type of women for police are to be found within New Zealand. She considers the need for them an urgent one in every centre. Her work has brought; her into contact with many cases where the preventive work of women police of the right stamp would have been of great value and service to the community. Mrs. Glover does not consider it necessary to have university-educated women officers; she places qualilications on the personality basis. Women with motherly hearts and the power of understanding, are most necessary They must not be afraid to soil their hands and go into low places; they must be able to make allowances and must have tact, kindness and humour. Mrs. Glover agrees there are certain points it is necessary for the intending women police officers to learn, and she thinks they must be at least in their ' thirties. They should be given at least a year’s probation. “Women suitable are right to our hands,” said Mrs. Glover. “Why not try them for a year? I believe 12 months would be quite sufficient to prove to those who think we can do without women police that we can’t.” Mrs. Glover has been a Salvation Army officer for 56 years, and was first appointed to police court work in Melbourne. She was probation officer for seven years, wars a foundation member of the'Borstal Association, and is still on the advisory committee.

A/TRS. R. TAIT, president of the WoX men’s Borstal Association, sees many cases where women police might have done preventive work. Her organisation does valuable after-care work, finding girls employment when they come out of borstal and keeping In touch with them for a probationary period. Mrs. Tait considers some excellent work is' being done by probation officers, but many of the cases in borstal might have been prevented. The right type, of women police, in her opinion, would, in time, greatly reduce the number of girls who have to be committed to borstal.

rpHE traveller’s aid attached to the A Y.W.C.A. and operating its helpful service at the Wellington Railway Station, sees the need for authority. Miss'W. Beaumont’s work as the “aid” would be at times, she believes, .assisted by the presence of women police with the power of arrest. Miss Beaumont has done aid work on Australian stations and has collaborated with women police officers there, who have, as part of their training, to take an active part in many social services. She emphasised their value in preventive rather than protective work. Women Police In South Australia ■yVOMEN. police in South Australia are sworn-in police constables, having the full powers of the men constables. Their hours of work are the same as those of the men, except that they do all-night duty only when on special duty. They are called upon to do many of the same duties, but their attention is confined to women and children. They search women, girls, and children; they do escort duty for women, girls, and children; and receive complaints from and interview men, women, girls, and children on varied matters.