Cumbria Police celebrate a century

100 years since the arrival of women to the Cumbria Police force Credit: Cumbria Police

This year Cumbria Constabulary is celebrating a century of female police officers.

To launch these celebrations the Constabulary appealed in January to find the first female police officer in Cumbria.

21 names were put forward by members of the public. Here is a selection of the women who have contributed to policing in Cumbria over the 100 years.

Detective Superintendent Cath Thundercloud said:

Mabel Farrer, seen in the photo above was one of the first women appointed to the Women Police Service in 1916, training in London.

She then became one of the first female police officers in Gretna, starting work in January 1917 and was later promoted to Sergeant.

Mabel Farrer seen here in the front centre of the photo. Credit: ITV Border

As well as being employed by the Women Police Service, Mabel was also sworn in as a Special Constable for Dumfrieshire, Cumberland, and the City of Carlisle.

Part of her time was spent in Carlisle and when there she reported to the Chief Constable.

In December 1918 she was given the rank of Police Constable in the Northampton County Borough Police, with powers of arrest.

Cumbria Police officer Euphemia (Fay) Bennet who is thought to be the first female officer on single patrol Credit: Cumbria Police

Above is a photo of Euphemia (known as Fay) Bennett.

Fay served the City of Carlisle Police from the 8th February 1953 until 3rd October 1958.

She is believed by some to be the first female officer, wearing the number 1PW on her epaulette. She later became a female police sergeant and was recruited and allocated the 1PW because of her seniority.

It is thought she could have been the first female officer to go on patrol on her own.

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes said:

Mary Faulder who was the only female officer in Carlisle Police in 1930 Credit: Cumbria Police

According to a letter in the Policewoman’s Review, Mary Faulder was the only policewoman attached to Carlisle Police in July 1930.

Mary, seen in the photo above, was appointed on 25th March 1919.

Kathleen Park who is believed to be one of the first police cadets Credit: Cumbria Police

Kathleen Park (then Balmer) was one of the first two female police cadets for Cumbria Constabulary in 1966.

She later went on to become a police officer, before leaving the force to have children.

It certainly runs in the family as her sons, Nigel and Martyn, are now both serving police officers. Her husband Phil Park MBE was also a former police officer with Cumbria Constabulary.

Sue Pickthall who was the police force's first female part-time officer Credit: Cumbria Police

In 1994 PC Sue Pickthall was the first officer to work part­-time.

She returned to work six months after giving birth, working the newly introduced policy of a 24 hour week instead of 40 hours.