Police Scotland today celebrated 100 years of woman in policing with an event at Paisley Police Office.
The event was attended by a selection of female officers of various ranks who work within the division and they were joined by retired Chief Superintendent Mary Hackett and Shona MacDougall, Director of Community Resources, Renfrewshire Council.
Mrs Hackett, who retired from Strathclyde Police in 2008 shared many of her memories and experiences with the officers and invited guests. She said:
“I am very proud to have served as police officer for 35 years and experienced many changes in the role of a female officer over the years. It is very encouraging to see so many women in senior and specialised roles within the Force and I wish them every success in their future careers.
Superintendent Nichola Burns of Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Division added:
“I’m proud of the contribution that women have made to policing in Scotland over the last 100 years and that in 2015 there’s no role or rank that women can’t aspire to and achieve.
“I agree with Mary and have thoroughly enjoyed my 24-year policing career so far and I’m grateful to all the women who have served before me and have paved the way to help us achieve our goals and help make a difference in the communities that we serve.”
Inspector Jane Harley who organised the Paisley event said:“2015 marks the centenary of woman in policing in the UK and today was about bringing some of the female officers together to celebrate.
“The past 100 years has seen women grow from organising voluntary women police patrols in 1913, to being appointed as women constables in 1915, to the first woman Chief Constable being appointed in 1995. Throughout the years the number of women recruited has increased significantly and is now more representative of the communities we serve. In 2015 women officers can be found in all specialist roles and at every level of policing.
Female officers from Traffic, CID, Special Constabulary, Public Order and Local Policing were all there to enjoy the event!
Scotland’s top fictional female cops have salute the efforts of the country’s real-life women law enforcers.
A number of actresses best known for their roles as on-screen detectives have added their voices to those praising the determination and professionalism of the women in Scotland who help to keep people safe as we celebrate 100 years of women in policing.
Events have been taking place across the country in recent weeks to highlight the changes which have occurred over the past century with regards to women in policing, including the abolition in 1968 of a rule which meant women had to leave the service when they got married.
Blythe Duff (right), who is known to millions of “Taggart” fans as Detective Sergeant Jackie Reid, said:
“I’d like to send my very best wishes to Scotland’s serving and retired police women as Police Scotland celebrates 100 years of women in policing.
“Having played a police officer in “Taggart” I’ve had some insight into the kind of working life women in policing lead, and I take my hat off to them. They face numerous challenges on a daily basis, whilst striving to perform to the best of their abilities and serve their communities to the highest standard.
“It’s incredible to see the changes which have taken place throughout the last century, with women now able to undertake any role within the force, and rise to the highest levels within the service.”
Star of “Rebus”, Claire Price (left), said:
“I spent a morning with a female DS when I was researching Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clark for ‘Rebus’ and I still remember my time with her.
“She was very impressive – a skilled officer, a working mum and a wife. She said dark humour helped keep her and her fellow officers going, on days when she was at a murder scene in the afternoon then making her child’s dinner a few hours later. The respect she showed for her work was total.
“Playing a policewoman on TV was a lot easier. But like all women in hitherto male-dominated worlds, we both had to negotiate working with strong men. It gets easier for each generation.”
Alison O’Donnell (centre) is well known for her role as Detective Constable Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh in “Shetland”:
“I feel incredibly proud to be representing a Scottish police woman and have the greatest respect and admiration for the work that they do.
“It is absolutely right that in 2015 all roles within Police Scotland are open to women and I congratulate them on the immense progress made in the last 100 years.
“I hope that in the next 100 years many more young women and girls are inspired to follow careers in the police force.”