Betty Bennett

One day in 1955 Betty Bennett had two interviews for jobs. The first, conducted by a sergeant at Auckland Police Station included taking the Oath of Office. When she said she would have to go to the other appointment she was told that she needed to give three months’ notice. This was an unusual beginning to a career which included her becoming the first policewoman to be promoted to sergeant and then, commissioned officer.

She began her police training with the first group of women to train with men at the, then new, Trentham Police Training School. She was also one of three Māori women in the class. Following her training she was posted to Auckland, where she rapidly demonstrated her skills as a competent member of the Women’s Division and was promoted to the rank of Detective in 1959.

In 1960 the Government Service Equal Pay Act was passed and caused much debate about the relative value of women’s work in the police where women received 80% of a male constable’s pay. Qualifying for promotion, Betty unintentionally became the catalyst for an urgent review of policewomen’s pay. Cabinet did not grant policewomen equal pay until 1965.

Promoted to sergeant 1961, she returned to uniform and was put in charge of Auckland Women’s Division. Her exceptional communication skills, practical and pragmatic approach to police tasks and sense of humour meant she quickly became a much admired “boss”.

In 1962 she was awarded the British Empire Medal for her achievements and outstanding qualities of leadership. In 1966 she became the first policewoman to become a commissioned officer and was transferred as an inspector to Police National Headquarters. Her first task was visiting centres where policewomen were employed to observe their duties and check on their general welfare.

Commissioner Urquhart proposed the reinstatement of the Women’s Division with Inspector Bennett at its head, and promotion only available for women within it. Betty convinced other senior officers that policewomen had proved their worth and there was ample evidence that they were capable of any policing situation that might arise. Because of this, the proposal did not proceed.

Betty retired from Police in 1970.;