Police Woman

In 1910, Alice Stebbins Wells becomes the nation's first policewoman when she joins the Los Angeles Police Department. Within four years, the LAPD has hired eight women officers. Wells helps to establish the International Association of Policewomen in 1915. By this time, according to the U.S. Census, policewomen are employed in 25 cities. The city of New York becomes the first to appoint a woman to a high-ranking administrative post in 1918, when Ellen O'Grady is promoted to deputy police commissioner. Often these women officers are expected to limit their dealings to children and female offenders. It will not be until 1968 — in Indianapolis — that two women are assigned regular patrol duty.

Training a policewoman — Inspector Cross and Miss Clark, veteran policewoman, are shown demonstrating the correct way to handcuff a prisoner. [between 1909 and 1932] Library of Congress