Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham: The City’s First Policewoman

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In 2014, one in three officers in West Midlands Police is a woman. But at the outbreak of World War One there were none. Evelyn Miles became the first woman officer in the force; then called Birmingham City Police. She was appointed as assistant matron in 1916, and within months was promoted to police officer. In 1918, she became a sergeant. Many of the city’s male police officers were themselves ex-military, and so were recalled to the front. After the war, there was a reduction in the number of female police officers in Birmingham and across the country. Despite this, Evelyn managed to retain her role, and oversaw a department of women officers. By 1935, there were 17 woman officers in Birmingham. Location: Steelhouse Lane Police Station, Birmingham B4 6NW Image: Evelyn Miles, courtesy of West Midlands Police