A CENTURY ago women were allowed to enter the police force for the first time.
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Women’s duties were extremely limited and they were not allowed to have ranks.
A hundred years on and it is hard to imagine a time when women weren’t staples in the force.
To mark this milestone a specially made baton has made its way across the state.
It made its way through Wagga on Monday, with the support of female officers.
Acting Inspector Tina McPherson has been in the force for 13 years.
Based at Wagga she is one of around 40 female officers.
“(Today) is a celebration of how far we’ve come,” Acting Inspector McPherson said.
“When (females were first accepted) we were only allowed to direct traffic.
“Now we are equal – I think we’ve been at that point for a long time now – we are paid the same.”
Acting Inspector McPherson said the chequered baton was symbolic of NSW policing.
“It's a steel cylinder with the policing logo which is very symbolic of policing in NSW.”