WOMEN POLICE SUCCESS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 272, 4 May 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

WOMEN POLICE SUCCESS.

HAVE WON A PERMANENT PLACE IN ENGLAND.

"I chink wo havo won a permanent place for tho policewoman in England,'' said Miss A. l)amcr Dawson commundaitft (if (the Women's Police (Service. "Weliavo proved our usefulness. We are growing steadily in power and influence.'' Tho Women's Police Service was founded at the beginning of the war to train a body of women who might be used as "substitute police," especially among women and children. "At that time," said Miss Dawson,

"there seemed almost 110 opening for -1 prat-Heal demonstration of what women police could do, a<3 there were still many policemen on duty. 111 three years tho change has been rapid. Some eight or nine cites have installed trained policewomen as part of their forces. The scope of their activities has steadily increased. Perhaps the biggest open ng has been found in the munition factories. Here many hundreds are required.

"Tim policewoman in the munition factory .is detective, chaperone, welfare worker, constable, and watchman. In tiie main, however, her work concern? the young women workers, and is covered by tlio expression, 'preventive and protective.' " The course of trailing for policewomen is exacting —attendance at police courts to learn methods and duties. first aid, with stretcher and fire drill and patrol work on the London streets.

"The policewomen in the factories," sa-'d Mis* Dawson, "keep the gates, examine workers' passes, and stop and escort visitors. There are generally two gates to a big uiunit* on plant, one controlled by irjon police, the other by women police. In some factories the women pol'co do most of the work of patrolling the factory-area. They protect the younger workers from the rougher element, and they travel 011 work trains to prevent, rowdyism."