Women in the NSW Police Force are marking 100 years of service this year, with celebrations for the milestone happening across NSW.
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To help mark this special occasion, a custom-made NSW Police baton is making its way around the
state over the next six months, due to arrive in Tamworth on Saturday 30th May.
Locals are encouraged to come down to Bicentennial Park, Kable Ave Tamworth, where representatives
from NSW Police Force will run a 3 – 5km relay in town, including local participants.
The official launch of the state-wide relay coincided with International Woman’s Day, on Sunday 8
March 2015, at the Sydney Opera House.
Following a six month journey to each Local Area Command around the state, the baton will return to
the Opera House, to a ‘welcoming home’ event.
Themed ‘Celebrating Compassion, Courage and Strength’, this year’s celebrations have marked a huge
journey over the last 100 years, which began with only two female officers, Lillian Armfield and Maude
Rhodes, who were employed as ‘special constables’ and chosen from 400 candidates in 1915.
Today, NSW boasts 4,542 female sworn officers and 2,581 female unsworn officers, and a lifetime of
achievements in Local Area Commands and specialist units.
A/Superintendent O’Reilly, Oxley LAC, said the local celebrations will showcase the history, as well as
past and present achievements of women in the Force.
“We now have hundreds of committed and successful women working in diverse roles such as the dog
unit, rescue squad, mounted unit and detectives,” Acting Superintendent O’Reilly said.
“Today the NSW Police Force offers women extensive opportunities, interesting experiences and
interaction with people from all walks of life, while the organisation is rewarded with the important
skills and experience they bring to the job.
“I am honoured to be part of the state-wide celebrations and encourage all members of the local
community to come and help us mark this special moment in Australian history,”