The year 1915 was when women were admitted to the force and in the following century they moved from being traffic police and child minders to becoming an integral part of the thin blue line.

Their efforts over the past century was recognised across the state this year with Lake Illawarra Local Area Command holding a Women in Policing event at Kiama’s Black Beach to celebrate 100 years.

The celebrations included a community open day and the running of the Kiama leg of the Women in Policing relay. A state-wide exercise, the relay involved a celebratory baton being passed on from command to command to mark the centenary.

Lake Illawarra Women in Policing coordinator senior constable Jacqui Chadwick said the celebrations were important for the police force.

“It’s great to be recognised and it’s great to look back to where we started and realise how much has changed in terms of what women are doing in the police force these days,” she said.

“Initially women were used in traffic roles or looking after children, but over the years things have changed to the point where nearly all roles are open to women and we’re really accepted as part of the force.”

Lake Illawarra commander superintendent Wayne Starling said the growing proportion of women in the police force was also something to celebrate.

“It’s fantastic, something like 35 per cent of the force is now female, when you look back at 1915 there were two female members of the force. It’s great to see how far we’ve come along,” he said.

Superintendent Starling said he believed the female members of the force were equal to their male colleagues.

“They do as good a job as the men, and in some instances they do a better job.

“Things like negotiations and defusing hostile situations are areas where women really excel and show just how valuable they are.”