Officers march to celebrate 100 years of women in policing

HUNDREDS of women officers from around the world have marched through Cardiff to celebrate 100 years of police women.

Officers from some 77 different countries took part in the “Parade of Nations” through the city centre as part of the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) conference, which also celebrates its centenary.

The organisation was also holding its 53rd annual conference in the country.

Countries represented at the conference and during the march included Finland, Canada, Australia, Guyana Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, the United States and India.

Dee Collins, President of the British Association for Women in Policing, said: “Not only are we celebrating 100 years of women in policing but 100 years of the IAWP as well. To have so many delegates here from so many different countries is absolutely fantastic.”

She described the opening ceremony as “quite moving”.

“Seeing so many women representing so many countries was really quite impactive,” she said.

CC Collins added: “This is a really important opportunity to share our experience and understand one another’s perspectives at the moment and to share what we can to improve policing.”

Hayley Ayley, from the Police Federation of England and Wales, described the conference and parade as a “key event to not showcase women in policing”.

She added that the police service needs to ensure there are more women working in specialisms – such as firearms and traffic departments.

Nikki Holland, Assistant Chief Constable of South Wales Police, said the conference recognised the “huge contribution that women make towards policing” and was a place to discuss local and international issues and share best practice.

The marching female officers were joined by some male colleagues, including South Wales Police’s Chief Constable Peter Vaughan and Steve White, Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales.

During the week, delegates will experience a varied training programme – including highlighting the Best of British policing – and sessions on money laundering, sex trafficking, child sexual exploitation and information from groups that work with victims of domestic violence.