WOMEN POLICE

Evening Star, Issue 19805, 2 March 1928, Page 3

WOMEN POLICE

NATIONAL COUNCIL'S REQUEST QUESTION OF STATUS [Pek United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March L A deputation from the National Council of Women waited on the Minister of Justice (Mr F. J. Rolleston) and the Commissioner of Police (Mr W. B. M'llveney) to-day to put before them the subject of women police. Mrs H, Smith (president) said 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 included those which would be considered policewomen’s duties. The reasons for urging the appointment of policewomen were that the police matrons could not perform all the duties scheduled for them. These duties, it seemed, should be performed by bona fide policewomen with pay, status, and all training commensurate with the importance and responsibility of those duties. It had been found in other parts of the world that women police, if properly trained, were a great success, and an assistance to 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 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 he carefully chosen and thoroughly trained and should have the status pay which such work deserved. Mrs Smith asked if the police matrons had to take the oath.

Commissioner M'llveney replied in the negative. It was not consideied that the oaths as administered in the case of a policeman would be appropriate for a woman. The only way would be to have an alteration in the form of the oath.

The Minister gave the dcpnlation a very sympathetic hearing. He said they were contemplating appointing more women. As to the name, while Mr M'llveney disliked that of “ policewomen.” the matter could lie considered. It, was not considered possible to give the same status to women, because they could not perform the same duties. Mr M'llveney read extracts from tne reports of the police matrons, showing they had escorted prisoners, helped women and children off railway stations and boats, patrolled parks and playgrounds, and as well had attended prisoners at the police station and courts. Some of those appointed wore the widows of police officers, who find had experience in the country at small stations.

Sonic 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 were carefully selected. Mr Rolleston promised consideration ot the request regarding the mini i and strtus of the women so employed, and said he would look into the qiie : t!.;:i ot (heir taking the oath. Mrs Smith thanked the Minister and Commissioner for their sympathetic hearing.