Philadelphia City Council Honors First 100 Female Patrol Officers

Philadelphia City Council recognized the first 100 women to serve as patrol officers in the city on Thursday. The group joined the force following a 1976 court order that required the Philadelphia Police Department to hire women for these positions.

Retired officers described the initial resistance they encountered from male coworkers. Harriett Farr, a retired corporal and training officer, said the department assigned them difficult beats and left them without radios. "They made up beats, they dumped us on beats without our radios," Farr said. "We never got a chance to have lunch, left us out in the rain never had place where we could go to the restroom. It was horrible."

The women also faced skepticism from the public. Margie Watson, a retired detective, recalled her first assignment when a young boy at a door told his mother, "Mom its a lady out here dressed in a man police uniform." Watson noted the child did not yet understand women could serve in that capacity.

Maria Watson, a retired officer, said the group proved their capability despite the doubt. "Every time they said we couldn’t do it we made sure we showed them that we could," she said. Farr added that the early hires were brave and determined to show they could do the job as well as men.

The recognition event marked a milestone in the department's history. Officials noted that approximately 22 percent of current Philadelphia Police Department officers are women. The department has committed to the national 30/30 Initiative, which aims to raise that percentage to 30 percent by 2030.

Farr expressed pride in the officers who followed her. "I am so proud of the sisters that came on after us I am so proud of them," she said. Maureen Rush, a retired officer and former University of Pennsylvania Police chief, thanked the council for acknowledging the labor and love invested in serving the city.

The event concluded with remarks from the attendees about the growth of opportunities for women in policing. The council formally recognized the group for their service and the path they created for future generations of officers.