Women senior officers
Deputy Commissioner Bev Lawson APM
In 1996, Bev Lawson became the first woman Deputy Commissioner in New South Wales.
Women Police Officers circa 1950s
Recruitment for women in the police force was a slow process and by 1921 there were only four women officers. An intake of six new recruits out of 400 applicants in February 1941, raised that number to 14.
These women formed a squad based at the Criminal Investigation Branch under the command of Sergeant Armfield. Interestingly, six of
Recruitment for women in the police force was a slow process and by 1921 there were only four women officers. An intake of six new recruits out of 400 applicants in February 1941, raised that number to 14.
These women formed a squad based at the Criminal Investigation Branch under the command of Sergeant Armfield. Interestingly, six of the women were police widows. It wasn’t until 1965 that policewomen were finally employed on equal footing with their male counterparts following the passing of the NSW Police Regulation Women Police Amendment. It gave women equality of wages and conditions, as well as full police powers under the law. Their titles also changed from ‘special constable’ to ‘police woman’. In 1979 policewomen were finally issued with firearms for general use (male police officers had been armed on a permanent basis since 1894).
Commissioner Karen Webb APM
Commissioner Karen Webb APM
In 2024, Karen Webb became the first female Commissioner in New South Wales to hold the position in the history of the state.
Over the coming months, the NSW Police Historic Museum website intends to identify members of the organisation whose contribution to policing is worthy of recognition. None more so than, say, the women of the NSW Police Force. From the initial recruitment of Special Constables Lillian May Armfield (Registered No. 65) and Maude Marian Rhodes (Registered No. 64) in 1915, the numbers of female police officers have grown to several thousand in 2024. Over the past 109 years, the nature of their duties has expanded from general (but restrictive) duties to a wide range of specialist and generalist duties across NSW. Today, women occupy positions of command at a local level and in a variety of specialist Squads and Branches in the NSWPF.
We acknowledge the leadership roles played by the late Deputy Commissioner Beverley Ann Lawson APM (tragically taken too soon) and Assistant Commissioner Christine Nixon AO APM (who later became Chief Commissioner, Victoria Police Force).
One wonders what Ms Armfield and Ms Rhodes might make of the NSWPF and the critical role that women have played and continue to play in policing, if they were to revisit the organisation today. They are both examples of those who “dug the well from which many drink today.”
Presently, Commissioner Karen Leanne Webb APM, heads the NSW Police Force. She is the first female in the history of the NSWPF to hold the position of Commissioner of Police and as such, she is the 23rd appointee to that rank. She was appointed in 2022.
It is as important to acknowledge that the duties of sworn members of the NSWPF has been enhanced in recent years with the addition of non-sworn female (and male) personnel whose administrative function is, amongst other things, to complement and support uniformed officers in their day-to-day tasks.
We extend our appreciation and thanks to all women (sworn and unsworn) who have and continue to serve the NSW Police Force with dignity, skill and expertise.
humble beginnings: the history of Women in policing
Policewomen were issued with a hand bag carrying their firearm, handcuffs and baton
Lillian Armfield (seated at rear) with Mrs Jeffrey, Miss Rosser, Mrs Burton, Mrs Ledger, Mrs Mitchell, Mrs Croke and Mrs Mooney, Police Headquarters, Sydney, circa 1938
Lillian Armfield (seated at rear) with Mrs Jeffrey, Miss Rosser, Mrs Burton, Mrs Ledger, Mrs Mitchell, Mrs Croke and Mrs Mooney, Police Headquarters, Sydney, circa 1938
In 1979 firearms become standard issue for all policewomen. Gwen Martin is the first female appointed to the Executive of the NSW Police Association. Jill Frazer is awarded ‘Policewoman of the Year’ for bravery when assaulted whilst arresting an offender which ultimately resulted in the amputation of her left leg and her subsequent death.
In 1979 firearms become standard issue for all policewomen. Gwen Martin is the first female appointed to the Executive of the NSW Police Association. Jill Frazer is awarded ‘Policewoman of the Year’ for bravery when assaulted whilst arresting an offender which ultimately resulted in the amputation of her left leg and her subsequent death. Women provided with the same training as men, same selection criteria for Detectives Training Course.
Lillian Armfield (seated at rear) with Mrs Jeffrey, Miss Rosser, Mrs Burton, Mrs Ledger, Mrs Mitchell, Mrs Croke and Mrs Mooney, Police Headquarters, Sydney, circa 1938
Lillian Armfield (seated at rear) with Mrs Jeffrey, Miss Rosser, Mrs Burton, Mrs Ledger, Mrs Mitchell, Mrs Croke and Mrs Mooney, Police Headquarters, Sydney, circa 1938
Lillian Armfield (seated at rear) with Mrs Jeffrey, Miss Rosser, Mrs Burton, Mrs Ledger, Mrs Mitchell, Mrs Croke and Mrs Mooney, Police Headquarters, Sydney, circa 1938
The New South Wales Police Department advertised two positions for female police. Nearly 500 women applied for the position. Two applicants, Lillian Armfield and Maude Rhodes were chosen and subsequently sworn in as Probationary Special Constables. Maude Rhodes resigned in 1920 and Lillian Armfield retired after 33 years service in 1949.
The New South Wales Police Department advertised two positions for female police. Nearly 500 women applied for the position. Two applicants, Lillian Armfield and Maude Rhodes were chosen and subsequently sworn in as Probationary Special Constables. Maude Rhodes resigned in 1920 and Lillian Armfield retired after 33 years service in 1949. The women were required to sign an indemnity releasing the Police Department of any responsibility for their safety and wore civilian clothes, as they were not issued a uniform. Their service was recorded on a separate seniority list until 1965.
Lillian Armfield, aged 80, with fellow constables who were sworn in at the passing-out parade in Redfern, Sydney, circa 1964
Lillian Armfield (seated at rear) with Mrs Jeffrey, Miss Rosser, Mrs Burton, Mrs Ledger, Mrs Mitchell, Mrs Croke and Mrs Mooney, Police Headquarters, Sydney, circa 1938
Lillian Armfield, aged 80, with fellow constables who were sworn in at the passing-out parade in Redfern, Sydney, circa 1964
For over thirty years, Lillian Armfield served as a female police detective, mainly working in the localities of Surry Hills and Darlinghurst. At first a probationary special constable, Armfield was not provided with a uniform, or paid for overtime and ancillary expenses as her male colleagues were.
Despite her valour and dedication,
For over thirty years, Lillian Armfield served as a female police detective, mainly working in the localities of Surry Hills and Darlinghurst. At first a probationary special constable, Armfield was not provided with a uniform, or paid for overtime and ancillary expenses as her male colleagues were.
Despite her valour and dedication, she was not given adequate recognition during her career as a police professional. She was only slowly promoted, becoming a Special Sergeant (Third Class) in 1923, and Special Sergeant (First Class) in 1943. She was in charge of all NSW Policewomen until her retirement. For most of her police career, it was known that she was the only NSW Policewoman approved to carry a service revolver.
On the Beat
Constables Amy Millgate and Gladys Johnson, who were trialled at the Traffic Branch in 1948, on the beat in Sydney.
Constables Madge Welby and June Abbott, point duty, Sydney, circa 1959
Constable Irene Juergens
Constable Irene Juergens
In 1966 Irene Juergens became the 88th woman to join the NSW Police - she had pigtails, wore seamed stockings and wasn't allowed to carry a gun. For the first six years she lectured school children about road safety - one of the few jobs female police were allowed to do at that time.
Group photo, Policewomen back in the day circa 1960s
Changing uniform styles, from the 1950s to the 1960s
Redfern Police Academy, circa 1960
Redfern Police Academy, circa 1960
Policewomen modelling the new look uniform - culottes and slacks -outside the old Regent Street Police Station, Sydney, circa 1981
NSW Policewomen worked across the police force in various roles, including the Dog Squad, Mounted Police, PolAir and Highway Patrol.
Constable Lisa Ford first female Police Diver, circa 1984.
Constable Lisa Ford first female Police Diver, circa 1984.
Policewomen assisting with crowd control for a royal visit at Newcastle
Policewoman undertaking firearm training
Group Mounted Police women directing traffic on George Street Sydney, circa 1990s
Group Mounted Police women directing traffic on George Street Sydney, circa 1990s
Policewoman marching on George Street, Sydney, circa 1980s
First female Highway Patrol Cyclist, North Sydney Highway Patrol, Sydney, circa 1983
Highway Patrol Policewoman conducting random breath test, circa 1990s
Highway Patrol Policewoman conducting random breath test, circa 1990s
First female Highway Patrol Cyclist, North Sydney Highway Patrol, Sydney, circa 1983
Highway Patrol Policewoman conducting random breath test, circa 1990s
First female Highway Patrol Cyclist, North Sydney Highway Patrol, Sydney, circa 1983
First female Highway Patrol Cyclist, North Sydney Highway Patrol, Sydney, circa 1983
First female Highway Patrol Cyclist, North Sydney Highway Patrol, Sydney, circa 1983
Constable Barbara Galvin
Policewoman Constable Barbara Galvin, the first female Police Prosecutor at Newton Court 3, Newtown, Sydney.
Mounted Police
Mounted policewomen on pedestrian control duty, Market and Pitt Streets, Sydney. Constable Cassandra Huyshe riding Digger (foreground), Constable Lisa Neaves riding Warrigal (background).
Police women celebrating 80 yrs of Women In Policing, circa 1995
Police women celebrating 80 yrs of Women In Policing, circa 1995
Policewoman outside Sydney Police Centre, Surry Hills, Sydney, circa 1990
Policewoman undertaking general duties, outside Waverley Police Station, Sydney, circa 1978
Constable Gabrielle McDonald, Police Academy, Goulburn
Constable Gabrielle McDonald, Police Academy, Goulburn
All-women caged truck crew
Senior Constable Helen Kentwell and Constable Gerda Duiveman, Hunter Valley's first policewomen undertaking general duty patrol, circa 1984.
Constable Caroline O'Hare, Redfern Police Academy circa 1981
Now retired Detective Chief Inspector after 34 years service.
Redfern Police Academy
Redfern Police Academy
Unknown Police Officers, Class 346 with 149 men and 55 women joining the NSW Police Force.