HUNDREDS\u00a0of women officers from around the world have marched through Cardiff to celebrate 100 years of police women.<\/p>\n
Officers from some 77 different countries took part in the \u201cParade of Nations\u201d through the city centre as part of the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) conference, which also celebrates its centenary.<\/p>\n
The organisation was also holding its 53rd annual conference in the country.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Dee Collins, President of the British Association for Women in Policing, said: \u201cNot 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
She described the opening ceremony as \u201cquite moving\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeeing so many women representing so many countries was really quite\u00a0impactive,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
CC Collins added: \u201cThis is a really important opportunity to share our experience and understand one another\u2019s perspectives at the moment and to share what we can to improve policing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hayley\u00a0Ayley, from the Police Federation of England and Wales, described the conference and parade as a \u201ckey event to not showcase women in policing\u201d.<\/p>\n
She added that the police service needs to ensure there are more women working in specialisms \u2013 such as firearms and traffic departments.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
During the week, delegates will experience a varied training programme \u2013 including highlighting the Best of British policing \u2013 and sessions on money laundering, sex trafficking, child sexual exploitation and information from groups that work with victims of domestic violence.<\/p>\n