Miss Barbara M Denis de Vitre was appointed by the Home Secretary as the first woman Assistant Inspector of Constabulary in 1948.
Trained by the Women's Auxiliary Service, she also did industrial welfare work in Salford and Manchester and voluntary work with the Invalid Children's Aid Association, Manchester.
Miss de Vitre joined the Sheffield City Police as a Constable in 1928 and was a fully attested policewoman.
She served with the Cairo City Police, having been appointed as one of the first two Policewomen to the Force in 1931, setting sail from London for her new duties on 15 October 1931. There she undertook duties in connection with the suppression of the White Slave and drug traffic and assisted in training Egyptian women recruits for police work. She spoke Italian and French and learned Arabic on going to Egypt.
In 1933, Miss de Vitre was appointed by the Leicester Watch Committee in succession to Miss St Claire Sloane, who had recently tendered her resignation. The position was to be different at the Leicester Force, as she was not to have police powers. After Miss Sloane resigned, the Watch Committee decided that instead of a policewoman they would appoint a woman social worker. However, it was soon understood the Home Office would contribute half the salary for a policewoman but make no contribution for a woman social worker and the Committee changed its decision and decided on a police appointment. Miss de Vitre rose to the rank of Sergeant with Leicester City Police. She worked undercover on one occasion posing as a woman expecting a child when visiting the office of an herbalist who subsequently provided her with a box of pills and a bottle of liquid to procure a miscarriage. She gave evidence at the trial.
In 1944, she was appointed Inspector in the Kent County Constabulary, with the special duty of recruiting and training a force of twenty women police. In 1945, while with Kent County Constabulary, she was appointed staff officer to the Inspectors of Constabulary. In August of 1945, as Inspectress of Women Police, she inspected Fife W.A.P.C., visiting Dunfermline, Cowdenbeath, Kirkcaldy, Methil, Leven, Cupar and St Andrews and spoke to each member of the W.A.P.C. individually at their work.
"The new appointment", as Assistant Inspector of Constabulary at the Home Office, stated a Home Office representative, "marks the increasing importance attached to the work of women police". In an interview after her appointment, Miss de Vitre commented:
We want women of personality, intelligence and character, ready to devote their life to the job. And I assure you it's a most absorbing one.
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First East Riding Constabulary policewoman Constables D M Wilson, D S Carr, B Mimms. Seated are Miss de Vitre and East Riding Constabulary Chief Constable G E Banwell OBE MC, c1944
First East Riding Constabulary policewoman Constables D M Wilson, D S Carr, B Mimms. Seated are Miss de Vitre and East Riding Constabulary Chief Constable G E Banwell OBE MC, c1944
First East Riding Constabulary policewoman Constables D M Wilson, D S Carr, B Mimms. Seated are Miss de Vitre and East Riding Constabulary Chief Constable G E Banwell OBE MC, c1944
Assistant Inspector of Constabulary Barbara M Denis de Vitre, accompanied by the Chief Constable of Lancashire (Colonel T E St Johnston) at the annual inspection of Policewomen at the County Police Headquarters, Hutton, 15 October 1956
Assistant Inspector of Constabulary Barbara M Denis de Vitre, accompanied by the Chief Constable of Lancashire (Colonel T E St Johnston) at the annual inspection of Policewomen at the County Police Headquarters, Hutton, 15 October 1956
Assistant Inspector of Constabulary Barbara M Denis de Vitre, accompanied by the Chief Constable of Lancashire (Colonel T E St Johnston) at the annual inspection of Policewomen at the County Police Headquarters, Hutton, 15 October 1956
Assistant Inspector of Constabulary, J S Law
Assistant Inspector of Constabulary J S Law (far right) with a group of Coventry Policewomen during her inspection tour of Warwickshire and Coventry Force, 25 August 1971. She is speaking with Chief Inspector J Jones and Policewomen V Wade and R Cole. She met women officers engaged on special duties at the force's Leek Wootton headquarters and at the Coventry divisional headquarters, at Little Park Street, Coventry. Superintendent Betty Mash (not shown) was head of Warwickshire and Coventry Policewomen.
Assistant Inspector of Constabulary J S Law (far right) with a group of Coventry Policewomen during her inspection tour of Warwickshire and Coventry Force, 25 August 1971. She is speaking with Chief Inspector J Jones and Policewomen V Wade and R Cole. She met women officers engaged on special duties at the force's Leek Wootton headquarters and at the Coventry divisional headquarters, at Little Park Street, Coventry. Superintendent Betty Mash (not shown) was head of Warwickshire and Coventry Policewomen.
Assistant Inspector of Constabulary J S Law (far right) with a group of Coventry Policewomen during her inspection tour of Warwickshire and Coventry Force, 25 August 1971. She is speaking with Chief Inspector J Jones and Policewomen V Wade and R Cole. She met women officers engaged on special duties at the force's Leek Wootton headquarters and at the Coventry divisional headquarters, at Little Park Street, Coventry. Superintendent Betty Mash (not shown) was head of Warwickshire and Coventry Policewomen.
Sources
- Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 03 October 1931 *
- Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 03 October 1931 *
- Market Harborough Advertiser and Midland Mail, 16 June 1933 *
- The Vote, 23 June 1933 *
- Evening Despatch, 29 June 1940 *
- Birmingham Daily Post, 17 April 1944 *
- Western Morning News, 17 April 1944 *
- St. Andrews Citizen, 04 August 1945 *
- Lancaster Guardian, 28 May 1948 *
- Dundee Evening Telegraph, 28 May 1948 *
- Nottingham Evening Post, 30 December 1948 *
- Lancashire Evening Post, 15 October 1956 *
- Belfast Telegraph, 10 August 1960 *
- Illustrated London News, 20 August 1960 *
- Coventry Evening Telegraph, 26 August 1971 *
- Coventry Evening Telegraph, 24 October 1968, 19 October 1972 *
- * The British Newspaper Archive
A Wigan Borough Police HMIC Inspection photograph taken in the playground of Wigan Grammar School. Six of the establishment of seven women officers are on parade - perhaps there was a vacancy at the time of the Inspection. They have been identified as, from the right: Sgt. Alice Jewell, (unknown, but could be either Margaret Higham or Mary Birchall), Ivy Russell (later Brookes), Dorothy Lavery (later McCandless), Ina Duxbury (later Bilsborough), "Big Amy" Dooley (later Holt). The nearest detective is Davies, the tallest is Bill Parkinson.
A Wigan Borough Police HMIC Inspection photograph taken in the playground of Wigan Grammar School. Six of the establishment of seven women officers are on parade - perhaps there was a vacancy at the time of the Inspection. They have been identified as, from the right: Sgt. Alice Jewell, (unknown, but could be either Margaret Higham or Mary Birchall), Ivy Russell (later Brookes), Dorothy Lavery (later McCandless), Ina Duxbury (later Bilsborough), "Big Amy" Dooley (later Holt). The nearest detective is Davies, the tallest is Bill Parkinson.
A Wigan Borough Police HMIC Inspection photograph taken in the playground of Wigan Grammar School. Six of the establishment of seven women officers are on parade - perhaps there was a vacancy at the time of the Inspection. They have been identified as, from the right: Sgt. Alice Jewell, (unknown, but could be either Margaret Higham or Mary Birchall), Ivy Russell (later Brookes), Dorothy Lavery (later McCandless), Ina Duxbury (later Bilsborough), "Big Amy" Dooley (later Holt). The nearest detective is Davies, the tallest is Bill Parkinson.
1964 HMI Inspection of Notts Constabulary HQ at Epperstone, of the Traffic Dept inspection
1964 HMI Inspection of Notts Constabulary HQ at Epperstone, of the Traffic Dept inspection
1964 HMI Inspection of Notts Constabulary HQ at Epperstone, of the Traffic Dept inspection
1964 HMI Inspection of Notts Constabulary HQ at Epperstone, of the Traffic Dept inspection
1964 HMI Inspection of Notts Constabulary HQ at Epperstone, of the Traffic Dept inspection
1964 HMI Inspection of Notts Constabulary HQ at Epperstone, of the Traffic Dept inspection
HM Inspector of Constabulary A U R Scroggie, accompanied by Chief Constable John Hallett, inspects the men, women and cadets of the Gateshead Borough, during the annual inspection, 1965
HM Inspector of Constabulary A U R Scroggie, accompanied by Chief Constable John Hallett, inspects the men, women and cadets of the Gateshead Borough, during the annual inspection, 1965
HM Inspector of Constabulary A U R Scroggie, accompanied by Chief Constable John Hallett, inspects the men, women and cadets of the Gateshead Borough, during the annual inspection, 1965
Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary visit for the annual inspection of the Dewsbury Borough Police Force in February 1965
Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary visit for the annual inspection of the Dewsbury Borough Police Force in February 1965
Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary visit for the annual inspection of the Dewsbury Borough Police Force in February 1965
HM Inspector of Constabulary, Mr R G Fenwick, 1972 annual inspection of Coventry Police, 18 October. At the far right is Chief Inspector Joan Jones, deputy head of the policewoman's section of the Warwickshire and Coventry Force. With them at Coventry Police headquarters are WPCs Pauline Wingrove (seated), Loraine Raitt and WPS Shirley Bacon. (Submitted by Ray Ricketts)
HM Inspector of Constabulary, Mr R G Fenwick, 1972 annual inspection of Coventry Police, 18 October. At the far right is Chief Inspector Joan Jones, deputy head of the policewoman's section of the Warwickshire and Coventry Force. With them at Coventry Police headquarters are WPCs Pauline Wingrove (seated), Loraine Raitt and WPS Shirley Bacon. (Submitted by Ray Ricketts)
HM Inspector of Constabulary, Mr R G Fenwick, 1972 annual inspection of Coventry Police, 18 October. At the far right is Chief Inspector Joan Jones, deputy head of the policewoman's section of the Warwickshire and Coventry Force. With them at Coventry Police headquarters are WPCs Pauline Wingrove (seated), Loraine Raitt and WPS Shirley Bacon. (Submitted by Ray Ricketts)
HM Inspector of Constabulary, Mr R G Fenwick, inspector for No. 4 district which included Warwickshire and Coventry. He was also the former Chief Constable of Shropshire. (Submitted by Ray Ricketts)
HM Inspector of Constabulary, Mr R G Fenwick, inspector for No. 4 district which included Warwickshire and Coventry. He was also the former Chief Constable of Shropshire. (Submitted by Ray Ricketts)
HM Inspector of Constabulary, Mr R G Fenwick, inspector for No. 4 district which included Warwickshire and Coventry. He was also the former Chief Constable of Shropshire. (Submitted by Ray Ricketts)
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland
King George VI, on the recommendation of the Secretary of State for Scotland, approved the appointment of Mr Sidney Anderson Kinnear to be His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland in succession to Brigadier General R M Dudgeon, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., whose retirement took effect from December 31, 1945. Mr Kinnear's appointment took effect from January 1, 1946.
Mr Kinnear was 43 years of age, and was previously Assistant Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland having been seconded to that position from the Edinburgh City Police four years prior.
Educated at Boroughmui and George Heriot's Schools, he entered the Admiralty service in 1918, and in 1922 was dux of Rosyth Naval Dockyard Upper School. After completing his apprenticeship he joined the Edinburgh City Police in February 1924 and carried out two years of normal street duty before being transferred to the Traffic Department on its inception.
He passed through the various ranks, including that of Hackney Carriage Inspector, and in 1936 became the Chief Traffic Officer for Edinburgh. In 1939 he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent and Chief Clerk, and held that position until 1st January 1942, when, at the request of the Secretary of State for Scotland, he was seconded to the Scottish Home Department as Assistant Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland.
During his four years as Assistant Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland, Mr Kinnear was a member of various departmental committees, including the Scottish Police Training Committee and two Police Post-War Training and Reorganisation Committees in London.
In February 1945, Mr Kinnear was one of six applicants for the post of Chief Constable of Lanarkshire Constabulary, to take up duties when the present Chief Constable, Mr A N Keith retired at the end of February, 1945. Mr Kinnear tied in the first vote with Superintendent Thomas Renfrew, M.B.E. of Lanarkshire Constabulary, and A.R.P. Organiser and Controller, who gained the post with a majority of seven votes over Mr Kinnear in a second vote.
Mr Kinnear was awarded the C.B.E. in the 1955 Honours List. In 1956, Mr Kinnear was appointed Commandant of the Scottish Police College, with his duties taking effect 1 January 1858.
On 22 November 1957, it was announced in Edinburgh, that Mr Thomas Renfrew, Chief Constable of the Lanarkshire Constabulary and of the Hamilton Burgh Police Force was to succeed Mr Kinnear as Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland. Mr Renfrew's appointment took effect 1 January 1858.
Mr Renfrew was 56 and was born in Glasgow and educated at Eastbank Academy. He joined Glasgow Police in 1919 and was transferred to Lanarkshire Constabulary as a Constable in 1926. In the ensuing years he was promoted Detective Sergeant, Inspector and Superintendent. From 1938 to 1945, the year in which he graduated B.L. at Glasgow University, he was appointed Chief Constable. He was in charge of civil defence in the county.
Mr Renfrew was awarded the M.B.E. in 1941 and the C.B.E. in 1952. Due to the surprise retirement of Deputy Chief Constable Sam Forrest and the planned retirement of Chief Constable T G Smith (after completing 52 years' service) of Hamilton Burgh Police, in October 1949 Mr Renfrew was appointed the Chief Constable of Hamilton Burgh Police and held that position jointly with that of the County Chief Constable until his appointment as Inspector of Constabulary. He was the first Chief Constable of Lanarkshire to be appointed to the position of Inspector of Constabulary. Mr Renfrew served on both the Great Britain Police Council and the Scottish Police Council and was Honourary Secretary of the Chief Constables (Scotland) Association since 1951.
Sources
- Daily Record, 23 February 1945
- The Scotsman, 27 December 1945
- Motherwell Times, 21 October 1949
- Dundee Courier, 09 June 1955
- Coventry Evening Telegraphm, 23 November 1957
- Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser, 09 November 1957
- Leven Mail, 04 December 1957
