Call for more women to join Police Force

Education and Training Minister Kay Hallahan today called for more women to join the Western Australian Police Force.

Opening the inaugural Policewomen's Conference, Mrs Hallahan said like politics the police force was currently a male-dominated profession but one in which women could make a major contribution.

"Women have a lot to offer as they are good mediators and negotiators, sensitive to cultural differences and can engender a great sense of team work," she said.

Mrs Hallahan - a former police officer - said the introduction of merit-based promotion last year had improved career prospects for women police.

"At the moment, only 10 per cent of Western Australian police are women and only two women have reached the rank of commissioned officer," she said.

"Merit-based promotion will go a long way towards assisting women police break through the glass ceiling."

Mrs Hallahan said women would be attracted to the police force in greater numbers if there were more flexible working arrangements.

"Part-time work options, child care and parent leave are all important issues for women considering a police career," she said.

There were currently 386 women in the State's 4,000 strong police force.

The Minister was obliged to resign from the Police Force when she married in 1972 because of regulations - since repealed - barring married women from serving as officers.