East London News A Force for the community…
NEARLY 8,000 women are serving officers with the Metropolitan Police at all levels, from the humblest new recruit to the Commissioner herself – but it wasn’t like that in the early days.
Margaret Constantinou, the Met’s Uniform Technical Manager and Detective Sergeant Irene Mackenzie, wearing replica 1919 uniform created by Ms Constantinou.
It’s just over 100 years since the Metropolitan Police began accepting women to its ranks, with the first woman – Edith Ridley – joining up on 17th February 1919, less than a year after the end of the First World War. Ms Ridley did well to start with – making it to the rank of sergeant. Sadly, she left the police force on 24th December 1925 having been found guilty of discreditable conduct. What was the conduct? She had been found wearing war medals!
Another woman who inspired her fellow female officers was Bertha Bullock, who left her home in Yorkshire to come to London and join the Met. Her great niece, Louise Smith, explained what Ms Bullock did. “Her duties were somewhat restricted in those days,” she said, “being generally confined to dealing with women and children. Her duties included looking after female prisoners, reducing prostitution, dealing with domestic disputes, child abuse and juvenile offending. In addition to this she was also required to complete administrative duties and school crossing patrols.”
For carrying out these duties, Ms Bullock was paid 62s a week – around £3.10! She returned to Yorkshire in 1934 and joined the police force in Leeds, receiving recognition for her work in that force by being awarded an MBE 30 years later.
The Metropolitan Police is celebrating the contribution of women officers in a number of ways. A photograph of and early batch of women recruits, taken in 1919, has been found, and on 17th May will recreate that photo – in replica uniforms which have been made specially for the occasion.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D’Orsi, said, “Celebrating 100 years of Metropolitan Police Women has been really important to everyone. I have been really touched by the enthusiasm of so many people who have wanted to be involved and make it a special year.”
•For more information about women’s role in policing over the last century, go to:
Metropolitan Woman Police Association
•There will be an exhibition of photographs of women police officers in action at City Hall until 31st May. It is open from 8.30am-5.30pm on weekdays (until 6pm on a Friday).
•Read more about it:
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