the women officers today, for instance Alice Stebbin Wells. Wells was our nations first
sworn in policewoman, joining the L.A.P.D in 1910. As a graduate of theology and
social work, Wells believed that there was a need for women in modern policing. After
being sworn in she was assigned to Leo Marden in juvenile probation, later on given
much more responsibility. After time Wells duties were extended and she was able to
enforce laws, in places such as dance halls, skating rinks, and penny movies. Later she
started to tour cities to promote women in policing, and she then created the
International Association of Women Police, in 1915. In addition to this Wells served as
the President for the Women Peace Officer’s Association of California. Some of her
other influences include the policewoman badge, when she was first sworn in she was
given a males badge, and later received the first women's badge, and also she
designed her own uniform, which she wore for formal occasions. As you can see Alice
was an extremely influential person in the world of women’s policing, but it certainly did
not end with her.
Another influential policewoman was Josephine Serran, she was the first female
Hispanic to graduate from the academy. Josephine was hired and sent to the Lincoln
Heights Jail in Los Angeles. Although she was forced to retire on disability, it is shown
that she had many fond memories, such as saving a mother and her child, and meeting
her husband.
In Detroit in 1919, no