Controller of Police Samuel Barnett talks about the possibility of women taking a more active role in the New Zealand Police Force.
He describes his trip to Britain in 1955, where he found greater acceptance of women in the police force since the war, due to the variety of war work roles women performed. He says the public and male police officers have accepted them, and their training is very similar to their male counterparts. Once they graduate they are on virtually the same footing as the men.
He witnessed a police woman arresting an 'obstreperous male' on the Liverpool docks and the Queen recently awarded the George Medal [for bravery] to two policewomen.
He concludes women should have the opportunity "to earn a place" in the New Zealand police force, provided they are prepared to undertake the full range of police duties.