West Midlands Police has opened up the archives to reveal the fascinating story of the first ever female police officer – who wasn’t allowed to arrest anyone.
The force has released pictures of Evelyn Miles, who was the first woman constable to join Birmingham City Police in 1917 at the age of 50.
Before 1916, there were no women police officers in the region at all, but the outbreak of the First World War saw more than 50 per cent of the city’s male population leave for the forces.
Force historian Dave Cross said: “Evelyn was married to a police officer who had been taken ill and the Chief Constable at the time, Sir Charles Haughton Rafter, offered her a matron’s job. Check out this story and other photographs.
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