Re: Female Police 1946

[woodyab]

Hello, I saw on the Bundesarchiv site photographs of German women being trained by the British as Policewomen. Does anyone know the colour of the female uniforms, rank structure, etc. Are there any books on the subject, or an Internet site?
Thanking you all in anticipation.
Tony

[Gerd W.]

Hello, I saw on the Bundesarchiv site photographs of German women being trained by the British as Policewomen. Does anyone know the colour of the female uniforms, rank structure, etc. Are there any books on the subject, or an Internet site?
Thanking you all in anticipation.
Tony

G´day Tony,

you are interested in a very unexplored section of Police history

German female Police started in 1903 with Henriette Arendt, who was assigned as Polizeiassistentin in Stuttgart (photo). Mrs. Ahrendt wrote a book in 1910 "Erlebnisse einer Polizeiassistentin" ............ which created a scandal that time!!

Until 1913 there were female Police in 19 cities. However, they had neither the same education or training as the male counterparts nor did they work in the same task fields. They don´t wore any uniform either.

In 1926/27 the very first female Police members in uniform walked on the beat! They were called Wohlfahrtspolizei or WKP (for weibliche Kriminalpolizei) and had their task fields in only a few special areas ( sex crime /prostitution/ kids etc.).

I´m sure for post 1933 you will get some more informations from other members here.

[SiPo]

Tony,

As Gerd has eluded to, there is very little on the subject of WKP and I can only offer a small amount of info. I do believe there is an article on Female Police in The Military Advisor magazine from a few years back although I myself have not been able to obtain a copy.

Entry into the WKP was dependant on several factors namely; aged between 23-30, Racial purity, good health and membership of NSDAP or other party formation. Another prerequisite was to be experienced in one of the following trades: Nursing, Social Welfare, Economics, Youth Movement or Law.

WKP underwent training at the Führerschule der Sicherheitspolizei und SD and the Kriminalfachschule at Berlin-Charlottenburg alongside their male counterparts and dependant on their existing educational qualifications, this could last between 1-2 years.

The WKP held special offices (Sonderdienstellen) in each Kriminalpolizei Leitstellen (KPLSt - Regional Headquarters) and Kriminalpolizei Stellen
(KPSt - Sub-Regional Headquarters). The Kriminalkommissarin in charge of each Sonderdienstellen reported directly to the head of these HQ's.

The WKP did not wear uniform. Although a WKP Dienstausweis in my collection still displays the authorization to carry weapons on the reverse, it is generally accepted that the carrying of weapons was not the norm. However, they were trained in weapon handling should the need arise for them to carry.

May I suggest you contact JoeW? Joe's knowledge on all aspects of the German Police is second to none, and he has forgotten more things than many, including myself, will ever know.

[woodyab]

Re: Female police 1946

Gerd, Hanson, thank you for your prompt replies. The women I alluded to were being trained at a facility in Potsdam by the Royal Mil Pol (although at the time they were Corps Mil Pol). The uniform they were dressed in was very smart.
Anyway thank you for your time.
Tony