For the first ten years there was no uniform worn by women. In 1952 the first women’s uniform was released. From those early years to today’s current operational uniform a large number of changes were made.
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The First Policewomen are sworn into the New Zealand Police and the newly created “Women’s Division.” They are required to wear civilian clothing, including hats and gloves (summer and winter) when on duty and initially have no power of arrest over men. The admission of women into the force had been strongly resisted by senior officers for many years, but was agreed to in response to shortages caused by the recruitment of men into the wartime military. |
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In the same year police uniforms were reviewed ... staff members were asked their views ... The review was ultimately to see the demise of the skirt for policewomen, and all female recruits were issued with trousers and wore the same forage cap as their male colleagues. An akubra-style, wide-brimmed, rabbit fur felt hat was introduced for duties in the hot summer sun. Reference: Tact & Tenacity, Val Redshaw pp 186-187 |