WOMEN POLICE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20085, 2 March 1928, Page 8

WOMEN POLICE

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER DISCUSSION OF APPOINTMENTS and status (Per Press Associ. lion., WELLINGTON. March 1. A deputation from the National Council of Women waited on the Minister of Justice (Hon. 1. -I. Holiest on > and the Commissioner of Police (Mr j W. B. Mclveney) to-day. to put before him the subject of women police. Mrs H. Smith (president) said they they had recently seen in the papers that there were two police matrons in Auckland, whose duties, according to the regulations, were not only in and around the police stations, but ineluded those which would be considered policewomen’s duties. The reasons for urging the appointment of police women were that the police matrons could not perform all the duties scheduled for them. These duties, it seemed, should be performed by bona tide policewomen with pay. status, and all training commensurate with the importance and responsibility of those duties. It had been found in other parts oi the world that women police, if properly trained, were a great success in assisting women and children. While expense would probably be the reason given against such appointments. it was believed that the preventive nature of their duties would have results in the opposite direction, and, in the end, would save the country much money which now must be spent in curing what might be prevented. In short, the Council thought that the whole work of dealing with criminal and protective work with regard to women and children should be in the hands of women as far as possible. These women should be carefully chosen and thoroughly trained, and should have the status and pay which such work deserved. Mrs Smith asked if the police matrons had to take the oath and Commissioner Mdlveney replied in the negative. It was not considered that the oaths, as administered to a-policeman, would be appropriate fur woman. The enly way would be to have an alteration in the form. The Minister gave the deputation <i very sympathetic hearing. He said they were contemplating appointing more women. As to the name, Mr Mell ven ey disliked that of “police’ - women, but the matter could be considered. It was not considered possible to give the same status to women, liecause they could not perform the same duties. Commissioner Mdlveney read ex tracts from the reports of the police matrons, showing they had escorted prisoners, helped women and children nt railway stations, and boats, patrolled parks and playgrounds, and. as well, attended prisoners in the police stations and courts. He. considered that a practical woman with commonsense was worth more than a university or even a secondary school training for the work. Some of those appointed were widows of police officers who had had experience in th» eor.ntry at small sta-j tions. Some members of the deputation thought the appointments should be made known; so that others could apply, but the Commissioner stated that many applications were received and the candidates carefully selected. Mr Rollrston promised consideration of the request regarding the name and status of the women so employed, and said he would look into the question of their taking the oath. Mrs Smith thanked the Minister and . Commissioner fo." their sympathetic hearing.