Women in Policing

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (15:06): My question is to the Minister for Police. Minister, can you advise the chamber of the important milestone for South Australia Police that was reached on Tuesday of this week?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:06): I would like to thank the member for Torrens for her question and also acknowledge her contribution and what she has done for women in the workforce and particularly women police in the workforce.

Tuesday this week marked a very special milestone for South Australia Police—100 years of women in our police force. Celebrations kicked off with a march through the streets of Adelaide from police headquarters in Angas Street to Government House. The South Australia Police Band, the mounted police, historical uniforms and 300 women in policing participated in the parade.

I was proud to attend the reception at Government House to recognise and further celebrate this historic occasion, and the member for Morialta was also present. While there I had the pleasure of meeting 94-year-old Joyce Richards. Joyce answered an advertisement for women police in 1944, and her career started by instructing shorthand, typing and Judo and weekly instructions in law.

At that time there were only 25 to 30 women employed in SAPOL, and Joyce was the first female police officer to attain the rank of sergeant. Joyce held the position of Principal of the Women's Police Branch from 1966 to 1974 when women went into uniform and the position of Principal was abandoned. Also there on the day was Dorothy Pyatt who is 96 years old. She was a member of the Women's Police Branch and worked with Joyce.

It was a very proud moment to be sharing that special day with them. With female officer numbers within SAPOL now nearing 1,300, women are influential in senior management and specialist positions right through to the front line. This has grown due to SAPOL's progressive approach to expanding the range of opportunities for women in policing.

Earlier this year the government appointed Linda Williams who became our first female deputy commissioner and highest-ranking female officer, and an outstanding deputy commissioner she is. The whole South Australian community can be proud of our police and the important contribution women have made and will continue to make.