POLICE FORCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 101, 1 May 1941, Page 7

POLICE FORCE

WOMEN APPOINTEES

TEN IN DOMINION

THREE FOR CAPITAL

The statement by the Prime Minister in the House of Representatives in March that the selection of women police for New Zealand was proceeding has been followed by an announcement by Mr. Fraser last night that ten appointments. 1. ■ are to 'be made, three each for Wellington and Auckland and two ; each for Christchurch and Dunedin. Mr. Fraser, who is Minister in Charge of Police, stated that the women selected would be : given three months' training and •• would serve a. full twelve months' probationary period before being considered for permanent appoint- ;. ment. . ..'■ . .'■ ■ : •;•". .-. ■, \.. Mr. Fraser referred to ihe decision ias a forward step, which, lie said, he felt certain would :be warmly welcomed by the public. : He .recalled the representations that^had been- made for many years for the;'appointment . of women police in* the Dominion, the passage of enabling legislation •in 1938, - and the inquiries that had been made overseas on the subject, since that time. "When questions of .pay/training, the nature of the duties, and the type of ; applicant for the women police had \ been discussed,"1 he continued, "api plications were invited and. the great-- ;■ est care has been given to the selection '■ of suitable women; It has been -die-' '■ cide'd to inaugurate; the; scheme with ■ the appointment of 10 :women, three ; being stationed • at'-both Auckland and .' Wellington arid' two in Christchurch } and Dunedin. The applicants will be ' notified of the'results of the selection in a few days. As vacancies occur, | or if the scheme of extending the em- j ployment;bf women police should be | decided upon, then those who have j been unsuccessful on this occasion will | . be considered in any future ■ appointments. -. TRAINING IN WELLINGTON. "The.successful applicants will have to undergo a strict medical examination before being called up for a three months? course of training, commencing on June 2 ;next. ■ They wiir enter the Police Training School in Wellington, where they will be coached in police regulations and general Acts of Par- , liament applicable to their duties. In addition, physical; drill and lectures will be given during the course. The trainees will reside in the flats attached to the school, where every modern convenience is provided. ■ "Jf, after the three months' course, the women measure up to the. standard required by the Department, they will .be'drafted-for'duty to one of the centres already, named, and will undertake practical duties under an experienced officer, who will accompany '• them in their inquiries for a time in order to give them confidence and. fur-' ' ther tuition. A full 12 months' probationary period, including the three months in the training school, will be served before any of, them are considered for permanent appointment. VALUABLE DUTIES. "The fullest care has been given to '. the selection of the women to be called ;: up for/training, and I am, hopeful," :;^ said trie Prime Minister, "that those ,; selected will turn jout to., be first-class members, of our. police force, of which .. the country has every reason to feel! \ proud. It has become more widely | recognised in recenCyjbarSi.that iwomen" can perform duties of very ' great value to the community, and I feercertain.that this forward step will : be warmly welcomed by the public." HONOLULU CLIPPER \ (P.AJ AUCKLAND, April 30. With 28 passengers, as well as mail and freight, the Honolulu Clipper reached' Auckland from San Francisco this afternoon after a normal trip. ' Captain McGlohn was in command. ; His;: passengers, most of whom are ■bound for destinations beyond New Zealand, included four small children.