Scotland’s most senior female police officer has said no roles or ranks are unattainable for women, as the service celebrates 100 years of women in policing.
Policing teams the length and breadth of the country are holding events to celebrate the achievements of female officers past and present, as well as giving prospective recruits the chance to ask questions and encourage them to sign up to the service.
There are currently around 5,150 female officers in Police Scotland, which makes up approximately 29 per cent of the 17,500 serving police officers at present.
One of the key celebrations was held today, Friday 19 June 2015, at the Scottish Police College, Tulliallan.
The latest class of Police Scotland recruits passed out this morning, with 38 per cent of them female. Their achievements were celebrated by invited guests, including Deputy Chief Constable Local Policing Rose Fitzpatrick, Assistant Chief Constable Kate Thomson, and Assistant Chief Constable Val Thomson, representatives from the Scottish Women’s Development Forumm the Scottish Police Authority, and other senior police officers and staff.
Minister for Youth and Women’s Employment, Annabelle Ewing, was also in attendance.
The course sergeant for the class was Sergeant Clair Fletcher, while the parade was led by Physical Education Instructor, Jacqui Tindal.
Deputy Chief Constable Local Policing, Rose Fitzpatrick, said: “This year marks the 100th anniversary of women in policing and is a milestone Police Scotland is delighted to celebrate.
“The opportunities available to women have changed dramatically over the last century – there is now no role or rank in Police Scotland which a woman cannot attain. We are really delighted, as a force, to celebrate the impact women have made on policing in the past and continue to make now.
“I am proud that Police Scotland is committed to ensuring equality and the availability of opportunities for all, regardless of gender, background, sexuality or race. Of course there is always more we can do and the views and experiences of our female officers will continue to shape our service for the future.
“Policing is a challenging, exciting role with public service at its heart. Today’s parade, especially with such a high proportion of female officers passing out, enables us to celebrate the past and the present, and I wish all the officers involved the very best for their future in policing.”
Minister for Youth and Women’s Employment, Annabelle Ewing MSP, said: “This is an historic day for Police Scotland, and the rate of female recruits passing out this morning confirms that policing is a viable career for women in Scotland.
“The latest figures show we have a record level of female employment in Scotland, but the Scottish Government will continue to use all the levers at our disposal to help more people into high quality employment opportunities.”
Superintendent Suzie Mertes, Chair of Scottish Women’s Development Forum, said: “The Scottish Women’s Development Forum is delighted to be part of the celebrations for 100 Years of Women in Policing.
“We have come a long way in the last century. In 1922, the Chief Constable of Dundee City Police was forced to publicly deny he had such a thing as a woman on his staff – now Police Scotland is proud to say nearly 30% of our officers are women and they can be found working in every area of policing.
“Progress hasn’t always come easily, and the SWDF pays tribute to those early trailblazers who did so much to challenge the status quo”
Scottish Police Authority Board Member, Moi Ali said: “Over recent decades, the style of policing has evolved around some distinctive traits – approachable, responsive, collaborative. I don’t believe it is an accident that this style has developed alongside increasing representation of women within the workforce.
“Whether serving as police officers or staff, women have played a pivotal role in shaping that Scottish approach and it is fitting that we mark this milestone and celebrate the value that women have added over the last century.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
