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Police Matrons
By the late 19th century many jails and prison employed matrons. Matrons were hired for the purpose of working with women and juveniles. While matrons did not have arrest powers and were not official police officers, they did show the need for females in law enforcement. (Horne, 2006) Dwight Wines conceded that "matrons who exhibited characteristics of middle-class homemakers might inspire female criminals to become respectable women." (Roth, 2011) -
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History of Women in Policing
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The first documented appointment of a woman with police powers
Many historians argue over who was deemed the actual first police woman. Some argue Alice Stebbin Wells was the first sworn policewoman. Others argue Lola Baldwin as the first police woman. Lola Baldwin was sworn in as a detective in Portland, Oregon. Baldwin's duties were not that of her male counterparts. Baldwin worked more with crime prevention and social work rather than law enforcement. Baldwin did not wear a uniform. Her office was located in the local YMCA. (Horne, 2006) -
The first woman with full police power was hired by Los Angelos Police Department
Alice Stebbin Wells was the first woman to be called a policewoman. She was hired by the Los Angelos Police Department. Alice Stebbin Wells held two college degrees and was an assistant pastor and social worker. Alice was 37 years old when she was appointed to the Juvenile Bureau.
Alice was to handle all cases involving women and children. (Horne, 2006) -
The International Association of Women Police
The International Association of Women Police was organized in 1915. It was charted in Washington DC in 1926. Alice Stebbins Wells was the first president of the association. The association diminished during the depression era. (International Association of Police Women) -
World War II (1941 - 1945)
Policing changed during World War II. While men were off at war, women were needed to assist in law enforcement. Women completed clerical work and also took on the role of dispatcher.
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Increase in Women Police Officers
The 1950's brought about an increase in the number of women police officers. "The 2,610 total policewomen in the United States in 1950 represented just 1% of the national total." (Roth, 2011). During this time there was a push to integrate the women officers with the male officers. (Feminist Majority Foundation's National Center for Women and Policing) -
Rebirth of International Association of Police Women
In 1956 the International Association of Police Women was brought back to life and reorganized. Doctor Lois Higgins was the president for eight years and then the executive director for a following twelve years. She was a thirty year member of the Chicago Police Department. (IAWP) -
Creation of the Equal Opportunity Commission
One year after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 passed, the Equal Opportunity Commission took flight. The official operation of the EEOC began on July 2, 2965. (www.eeoc.gov) This helped in hoisting women into more equal police roles. (Roth, 2011) -
Women Assigned to Official Police Cars
During the 1960's the women's movement was in full swing and the number of policewomen was multiplying. However, it was not until 1968, in Indianapolis, Indiana, when two women were assigned to an official police car. This marked a huge success for women in the law enforcement field. Women were transitioning from social workers to crimefighters. (Roth, 2011) -
Elimination of Seperate Police Force Applications
In 1969, the Washington, DC, police chief eliminated separate police force applications for women and men. (Roth, 2011) -
The Equal Employment Opportunity Act
"Passage of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act prohibited discrimination by public and private employers." (Roth, 2011) -
First Female Police Chief
In January of 1985 the first female police chief was appointed to office. Penny Harrington climbed her way all the way to the top of Portland's police department. She filed some 40 sexual discrimination complaints against the department before her appointment of chief. (TIME, April 1986) -
First Female African American Police Chief
October 26, 1994, Beverly Harvard was appointed Chief of Police for the Atlanta Police Department. Harvard was one of only 3 women and the first black woman to ever hold this rank. (New York Times, November 30, 1994) On October 20, 2010 Harvard was sworn in as the United States Marshal for the northern district of Georgia. (www.usmarshals.gov) -
Growing number of police women
In the year 2000, women made up 13 percent of all police officers. (Feminist Majority Foundation)
