Indianapolis Commemorating 100 Years of Female Police Officers

100 years ago this summer, the Indianapolis Police Department made history. With police ranks depleted by World War One, Indianapolis created a separate branch within the police department for its first 14 policewomen. They focused on crimes like shoplifting and drunkenness.  Femaile officers didn’t get to carry guns until 1922, and then they had to buy their own firearms. 50 years later in 1968, Indianapolis made history again, becoming the first city to put female officers on the same patrols as male officers.

Reporter Cora Butrum of fellow Indiana Public Broadcasting station WFYI reports Indianapolis officials gathered Monday at the city’s Central Library to celebrate the 100th anniversary. The event marks the launch of an exhibit at the Central Library, showcasing the history of women on the force with photographs, uniforms, officer profiles and other memorabilia. The exhibit is open to the public until September 21.