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2007 marked the 90th Anniversary of Women in Policing in Tasmania.

On October 20 1917, Mrs Kate Campbell became the first woman to join Tasmania Police when she was sworn in as a probationary Constable.

At the time, World War 1 was in progress and there was little or no fanfare and no recognition of this important moment in the press.

Progressively, the numbers increased to nine by 1954.

Like many jurisdictions, there was a belief that policewomen would be particularly useful when females appeared in court and with young girls wandering the streets.

Initially, women were employed within Tasmania Police to focus on infants and children in danger, youthful offending, destitute and neglected children, truants and runaways and “wayward women” who were subjected to “moral danger”.

As the years progressed, more duties opened up to policewomen including escorting female prisoners and mental patients.  They were also responsible for working toward the suppression of offences committed by women, such as fortune telling. 

The period from the 1940s to the 1980s saw steady change which included the full integration of policewomen into all facets of police duties, pay equity with male counterparts and changes to the uniform.

Two women also attained Commissions at the rank of Inspector, Inspector Beth Ashlin and Inspector Heather Innes.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Richard McCreadie, said the past 10 years had been a period of rapid change.

“There has been a 94% increase – almost doubling – in the number of female police officers since 1995/96,” Mr McCreadie said.

“25% of sworn members are women, which includes 18 Sergeants and three Inspectors.  30% of Constables are women.

“For the 2006/2007 financial year, there were 310 female police officers in Tasmania Police, of a total of 1247, representing 24.86%

“This figure places Tasmania Police well in advance of the national average in relation to the representation of women among our ranks.

“The average percentage of women in police jurisdictions across the nation was 22.36% last year.

“I am extremely proud of the advancement and achievements of women in Tasmania Police.”

Mr McCreadie said flexible employment was just one workplace initiative that had been introduced to support work/life balance needs for both men and women in a changing workforce.

“A significantly higher percentage of our police officers take advantage of part-time employment than in other police jurisdictions,” he said.

“We also offer carers’ leave, and there are child/infant feeding rooms at the Tasmania Police Academy and live-in accommodation for families.  Courses at the Academy now offer work-from-home components.”

Tasmanian police women have served in international deployments to East Timor and the Solomon Islands and also participated in secondments to National Agencies.

“It’s important to note that women are entitled to apply for any position within Tasmania Police at any level.”