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Patron: Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, DBE, QPM
President: Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D'Orsi
Honorary Patron: Lynda La Plante, CBE
“100 years strong: Celebrating the past, present and looking to the future
It was 100 years ago on 22 November 1918, that the then Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Cecil Macready officially announced that we’d have female police officers – known as the Women Patrols. This followed the then Home Secretary accepting Sir Cecil's "experimental" proposal to form a department of women police officers, under the supervision of Superintendent Sofia Stanley.
As we celebrate that milestone, women across the Met from a range of ranks and roles have joined me at New Scotland Yard with Asst Commissioner Helen Ball and Deputy Asst Commissioner Lucy D’Orsi to officially launch a female specific recruitment campaign. We’re inviting amazing women to be part of the next 100 years.
I want to extend my sincere thanks to all Metropolitan Police women officers and staff, past and present, for their dedication and service to the Met. All of us who are thriving today owe so much to you, the brave pioneers of the past.
Cressida Dick
Commissioner”
Two things were instrumental to the grudging acceptance of Women Police in the second decade of the 20th Century: Concern over the slave traffic and the advent of the First World War. The strength of Police forces fell rapidly as men of all ranks left to join the Colours. Everywhere problems of order and decency in public places cried out for an urgent solution.
New members are always welcome, joining is easy simply complete the Membership Request Form and pay an annual sub. Membership is also available to women officers of the Special Constabulary.
A membership fee is payable of £10 per annum.
If you would like to get in touch to find out more about our Association, please do not hesitate to send us an email. You can find our details below.
The Metropolitan Women Police Association was formed in 1976 by a group of women officers after integration was introduced in March 1973 and the specialist women police department was disbanded. The Association was originally formed to provide a means of helping each other to meet and keep in touch with one another. We are purely a SOCIAL Association. All serving or former women police, including those who later transferred to other forces or served in the Special Constabulary, are eligible TO JOIN at any time.
Our members live all over the country and also abroad. We keep in contact with members via a newsletter three times a year. This contains details of social and special events, outings and get-togethers at the Met Police Sports Clubs. Our age range is from 103 to 25. We welcome new members and new input in order to keep the Association alive and interesting.
We are undertaking the task of transferring historical information on Women Police to a digital format. Increasingly we are approached by organisations interested in our history, and some of our members have given interviews or have written books about their experiences. We endeavour to attend memorials to remember officers who have lost their lives on duty.
Events take place throughout the year. We have a Christmas lunch usually in Central London and an AGM in April, followed by lunch. Some members arrange their own informal lunches locally, making new friends in the process. Other members just like to belong to the MWPA and read the newsletters.
We are now making plans to celebrate 100 years of women police in London in 2019. We are a friendly, caring association and we believe we have alot to offer. PLEASE NOTE: Serving Officers wanting advice, mentoring etc, should contact other associations e.g. British Association of Women Police Officers, which deal mainly with problems affecting serving officers. If you are interested in joining or require more information, we can be contacted via this link here or email membership@metwpa.org.uk
We receive many requests for information from outside agencies, especially as celebrate 100 years of women police in London in 2019. In order to support the work of the MWPA, we would ask these agencies to consider making a donation. This can be done by BACS payment to sort code 09-01-54, quoting account number 12343908 or by contacting us via email at info@metwpa.org.uk. Thank you.
