More Women “Bobbies" in London

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 111, 12 May 1936, Page 10

More Women “Bobbies" in London

LONDON —London is to have more women police. The present force, which consists of a superintendent, three inspectors, seven sergeants and 56 constables—a total of 67 —is to be extended to a total number of 142. ’ Women ••Bobbies” have to be between 24 and 35 years, not less than 5 feet 4 inches, unmarried, or widows dependent children. They have to pass an examination in English composition, arithmetic, geography, general knowledge and “intelligence.' ’ Long-Disputed Question The various duties to be performed, it is pointed out by the police authorities, should afford to such women opportunities for applying their abilities to problems of crime, delinquency, and public order. The question of whether England should or should not employ women in the various police forces of the country has been a vexed one for the last 2 years. The lirst body of women was recruited during the World War the ciiy of Birkenhead, Jinding itself short of men for policing, called up 10 women constables and a sergeant and, putting them through a training similar to that of the men, set them to work on points and beat duty, work in the courts and on special duty in connection with the Criminal Investigation Department. Way Paved by Experiments The experiment was not entirely satisfactory, however, largely because, at that time, it was legally impossible to “swear in” a woman as a constable, and lack of full authority not only deprived the woman police of the power of arrest except in a case of felony, but also of the right to compensation in case of injury while on duty. Therefore the experiment did not lost, but it did its work in paving the way for other experiments, and nowadays it is customary to find women attached in ones and twos, and sometimes in larger numbers, to the police force of the larger towns in Britain. Pay for the new policewomen of London is to be for inspectors 104 s. to 1325. a week, plus 9s 9d. rent allowance; for sergeants 90s. to 100 s, plus 7s 3d. for rent: and for constables 565. to 100 s., with rent allowances of 6s.

This is from an authentic school essay: — ‘‘The King was displeased with Daniel, so he put him in a cage where there were a lot of lions. The next morning the King went to the top of the den and called out, ‘Hello, Daniel, what sort of a night have you had?’ *Oh, not so bad, your Majesty,’ replied Daniel, ‘but do you know that this place is simply infested with lions?’ ‘Lions?’ said the King, pretending to be surprised. ‘Well, all 1 can say is you must have brought them with vnnl”