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zation was interested in establishing women police in Ireland.16

When Sir Nevil Macready organized the Metropolitan Police Women in 1918, the Women Police Service offered its trained women. The Commissioner while recognizing the value of their work in munitions factories did not appoint them to the police force. Some of them were known as militant suffragettes and had been before the courts for assaulting the police (179). Given the conservatism of the average police constable and the fact that they were not enthusiastic over the advent of women police, it was advisable to appoint only women with clear court and police records. A further obstacle was their declaration that they "were there to show how the police work should be done and how to purify the male police."

In February, 1920, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police summoned to court 5 members of the Women Police Service on the complaint that the uniform worn by them "appears so closely to resemble that it can reasonably be taken for that of the Metropolitan Police Women," which was in contravention to section 10 of the police act of 1919 (180). As a result of the case, slight changes were made in the uniform and cap and the name changed to "Women's Auxiliary Service."

During the years 1920-21, the staff addressed over 150 meetings in England and Scotland which were sponsored by some 70 different associations (12). 16 See Northern Ireland, Chapter II.

By public addresses and by the written word the Women's Auxiliary Service has continued its work for the appointment of women police. Of the 85 women serving under provincial chief constables in May, 1924, 35 are said to have received their initial training with the organization (A-P 75).

In response to a request of the War Department (2) they instituted a uniformed women police service in Cologne in the occupied area in 1923.17

At the Imperial Exposition at Wembly, May-June, 1924, the London Council for the Promotion of Public Morality employed a number of the Women's Auxiliary Service in plain clothes to "observe as the general public would, but when necessary to observe a little more closely and then report to the Council. If necessary the Council reports to the police and steps are taken" (A-1435).

The present Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police of London (A-118 to 140) objects to their wearing a uniform resembling so closely that of the women police. He considers that their actions are liable to be attributed to the official police, a fact which does not promote good feeling between the police and the public (A-1529).

The officers of the Women's Auxiliary Service consider that the unofficial character of the organization permits of a greater freedom in their efforts to mold the development of the general movement for women police. They point out that confusion in the minds of the public occurs nowhere except in 17 See Germany, Chapter IV.

London which has been their principal training ground for recruits. At present there are no women in training. Several are serving in Cologne. The officers are engaged in speaking and writing on the subject of women police.

WOMEN PATROLS

Very soon after the outbreak of the war in August, 1914, the danger arising from the uncontrolled excitement which possessed much of the girlhood and womanhood of the country was realized by many women's organizations. 18 The National Council of Women of Great Britain and Ireland was among those who took steps to grapple with the danger. They appointed an ad hoc committee upon which a very large number of related societies were represented.20 This Committee met almost daily and after anxious deliberation, decided to organize a body of voluntary Women Patrol's who were to be neither detectives nor "rescue workers," but more

19

18"It was the same story in England as in all countries which were parties to the War. Conditions were conducive to much that was socially undesirable and individually harmful to young girls who were excited and thrown off their balance by the unaccustomed presence of so many soldiers and recruits in uniform." England's Girls and the Women Police by Priscilla Moulder. Life and Labor, May, 1919, vol. IX. Published by Women's Trade Union League of America, 311 S. Ashland Blvd., Chicago, Ill.

19 Women Police, M. G. Garden, Sept., 1924.

20 The late Mr. Álexander Coote, a great authority on this question and enjoying the full confidence of the Home Office and Scotland Yard, represented the Vigilance Association. Miss Nora Hall, another expert, was sent by the Church Army. The Committee was presided over by Mrs. Creighton of the National Council of Women.

like experimental women police. The Home Secretary gave his full official recognition to the Women Patrols and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police of London promised to give them his cordial support.

The Committee in September, 1914, engaged 26 organizers to train the recruits. However, although they were they were social workers, the organizers themselves needed special training for this pioneer work.19 Qualified members of the committee gave them a series of lectures designed to present "a clear and comprehensive view of the objects and scope of the proposed patrol work—a sound conception of the ideals to be aimed at, the perils to be avoided and the best methods of dealing with the problems of the streets and open places."

Work was started by the first organizer on the 27th of October, 1914, and from first to last between 4,000 and 5,000 women patrols were enrolled and instructed in the duties they were called upon to perform.

Bodies of patrols were created both in London and the provinces. Each patrol wore an arm-band, and carried an identity card and a small book of regulations, all three bearing the same number. As evidence of his official recognition of the patrols, Sir Edward Henry, then the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, signed each card which read as follows: (259)

"Notice to Police, the bearer, Mrs....

...No....

is a worker authorized by the National Union of Women

Workers of Great Britain and Ireland, and the police are desired to render her any necessary assistance.

(Signed) E. R. HENRY,

Commissioner of Police."

The same result was obtained in the provinces by the circularization of the chief constables in the name of the Home Secretary. Similar steps were also taken in Scotland and Ireland.

WOMEN PATROLS IN LONDON

The Committee organized by the National Council of Women was carrying on its work by voluntary funds. In 1916 (A-29) the Home Office approved the payment to it of a subsidy of £400 a year subject to discontinuance on three months' notice. This money was used for training women for service in London.

Sir Edward Henry in 1916 directed that most careful and minute observation be made of the methods of work of these women. As a result of the reports which he received, in June, 1916, he employed and paid from police funds 8 of the patrols to investigate and report on the conduct at cinemas in the Metropolitan District.

Following on the success of this work, 30 "Special Women Patrols" were officially employed to patrol Hyde Park and other open spaces in London. They worked under a supervisor appointed on March 10, 1917, by the National Council of Women but paid

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