A special service at Westminster Abbey marks one hundred years since women first joined the Met Police.
Two thousand people are attending the ceremony. This includes current and retired police officers.
The event echoes the first ceremony at the Abbey held in 1919, honouring fallen police officers from the First World War. This was the first time women wore uniforms in public.
WPC from the 60s. Credit: Getty Images.
One century on, 12 female officers will re-stage a photo on the Clive Steps in replica 1919 uniforms.
Detective Superintendent Jane Corrigan says back then, a woman’s main function in the force was to look after children:
Detective Sergeant Irene MacKenzie, one of the 12 officers wearing the replica uniform, wears her uniform with pride:
“I feel so proud to wear this wonderful recreation of the uniform. When I think back to all the challenges those few brave souls faced and overcame, I admire them so much. They truly paved the way for us today.”
Are attitudes changing?
In 1919 there were just twenty one patrols of women in the Met. They earned significantly less than men and had no powers to arrest.
Cressida Dick became the Met’s first female Commissioner in 2017.
Today women account for 27% of the force, just over a quarter of its entire population.
The service marks the end of the Met’s #100yearsstrong campaign, celebrating the anniversary.
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HeadlineService marks 100 years of women in the Met Police
Short HeadlineCelebrating 100 years of women in the Met Police
StandfirstWomen joined the Met Police one hundred years ago but they were paid less and not allowed to make arrests.
A special service at Westminster Abbey marks one hundred years since women first joined the Met Police.
Two thousand people are attending the ceremony. This includes current and retired police officers.
The event echoes the first ceremony at the Abbey held in 1919, honouring fallen police officers from the First World War. This was the first time women wore uniforms in public.
WPC from the 60s. Credit: Getty Images.
One century on, 12 female officers will re-stage a photo on the Clive Steps in replica 1919 uniforms.
Detective Superintendent Jane Corrigan says back then, a woman’s main function in the force was to look after children:
Detective Sergeant Irene MacKenzie, one of the 12 officers wearing the replica uniform, wears her uniform with pride:
“I feel so proud to wear this wonderful recreation of the uniform. When I think back to all the challenges those few brave souls faced and overcame, I admire them so much. They truly paved the way for us today.”
Are attitudes changing?
In 1919 there were just twenty one patrols of women in the Met. They earned significantly less than men and had no powers to arrest.
Cressida Dick became the Met’s first female Commissioner in 2017.
Today women account for 27% of the force, just over a quarter of its entire population.
The service marks the end of the Met’s #100yearsstrong campaign, celebrating the anniversary.
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