IT is a century since the first women joined the NSW Police Department – and those who have followed them are celebrating.
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On April 11, Eurobodalla officers will take charge of a relay baton that left the Sydney Opera House on March 8, International Women’s Day.
Just how it will travel across the Clyde River remains classified information, according to Inspector Angela Burnell.
“Let’s just say it won’t be travelling by foot,” is all she would reveal.
Everyone is invited to take part in a three-kilometre fun run to mark what Inspector Burnell said was “a monumental achievement”.
“There will be staggerers, runners, serious competitors and kids,” Inspector Burnell said.
“Prams and scooters – they are all welcome to join.
“We would love the community to be part of this monumental achievement of women in policing.”
A core group of female officers is organising the relay from Korners Park, on Wharf Road, along the foreshore to Bavarde Avenue and then back to the foreshore park in Clyde Street, where a sausage sizzle will be held.
“The baton will be passed between the participants during the relay,” Inspector Burnell said.
“We hope to have 15 police officers participating.”
Inspector Burnell said healthy competition was alive among relay contenders.
“There are a few people who will not be surprised by the winner,” she said.
“I am sure there will be a few puffed by the end.
“We are bringing up the police launch from Eden and the PCYC bus will be coming.”
Inspector Burnell said the celebrations were about much more than a numeral.
“A hundred years of women in policing – it is easy to overlook that achievement and just pass it off as another number,” she said.
“When you look at the history, the triumphs, the heartaches, the struggles, the achievements of the women who have gone before us, it is truly inspiring.”
Inspector Burnell said women had played many roles, “whether sitting at the counter and using the typewriter, to being issued the first handbags that they could carry their first firearms in”.
“I am not sure if I would like to be carrying a handbag around and I am glad we don’t have the high heels, stockings and cullottes,” she said.
Inspector Burnell joined the force 18 years ago.
“It was my goal growing up,” she said.
“I saw it as a career I could have for life, one that would take me places and also help the community.
“Clichéd as it sounds, there are people who are drawn to being helpers and that is something that drew me to the role.”
She also said it offered much to women.
“You can do anything in the police,” she said.
“The opportunities are there if you want to take them.”
“The idea it is a male-dominated career is long gone. Women are everywhere – there is no holding us back.
“You might get someone who started as a general duties officer, progressed to highway, had a stint in detectives and then did forensics or investigation.
“There are challenges in every career and in every facet of policing.
“I have never experienced resistance. I have had every opportunity I have sought.”
Asked if women had changed the force, she said “women have a way of changing any environment or relationship they go into”.
“We like to stamp our influence.
“You would not have time to hear about the women who inspire me.
“I have many personal mentors, serving and retired.
“There are many women, senior and junior, who inspire me on a daily basis.”
First there were two. . .
WOMEN have always been keen to join the police force, as the response to an advertisment 100 years ago showed.
Five-hundred women answered the call to join the NSW Police Depart-ment in 1915, and just two made it through the doors.
Chosen were Lillian Armfield and Maude Rhodes, who were sworn in as probationary special constables.
They had to sign an indemnity releasing the department of any responsibility for their safety.
They also wore plain clothes, not because they were detectives, but because they were not issued uniforms.
According to research-ers, it would be more than 30 years before female police officers could join the union and wear a uniform (in the traffic branch) and not until 1958 that recruits could join the passing out parade.
In 1965, 58 women of various ranks were sworn into the New South Wales Police Force as regular officers, with full powers.
In 1967 Del Fricker received the British Empire Medal for her involvement in the 1963 arrest of a violent offender wanted for rape.
Yet it would not be until 1974 that women became eligible, by statute, to sit for promotional examinations.
The union went into bat for women in 1975, and secured maternity leave and an equal chance for promotion.
That was also the year female officers won the right to carry handcuffs and in 1979 firearms became standard issue for all officers.
In 1981 special classifications for female officers were abolished.
