Seattle Moves to Put a Woman on the Police Force
The city council finance committee backed $175 a month for a woman police officer who would advise young women, investigate cases, and enter saloons and hotels.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
SEATTLE, Feb. 13.—Even the police force now is being invaded by the gentler sex. The city council finance committee has recommended for passage a council bill to appropriate $175 a month with which to pay the salary and the expenses of a woman police officer.
This action was taken upon the request of Miss May Walker, secretary of the Young Woman's Christian Association.
The proposed woman officer will have police power. Her duties will be to advise young girls and women who come to the city during the fair against the dangers which threaten them.
She will have authority to investigate cases and enter saloons, cafes and hotels whenever she deems it necessary.
“Even the police force now is being invaded by the gentler sex.”
More than a century before debates over women in policing and protective details, Seattle was considering whether a female officer could enter saloons and hotels in the name of protecting young women. The proposed role was both a breakthrough and a paternalistic mission.
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