Torch tour marks women in police force

Rookie Tauranga police officer Rebekka Still, celebrating 75 years of women in the police force. Photo/George Novak

Police are marking 75 years of women on the force with a torch relay, which will arrive in the Bay next week.

The two halves of the illuminated torch, which represents the New Zealand police tohu, started a tour of the twelve policing districts on June 24 simultaneously in Cape Reinga and Bluff.

One half was travelling up the South Island and another was travelling down the North Island, stopping off for events in a number of towns and cities along the way.

This week a torch half would arrive in Bay of Plenty and would be passed through the region by staff carrying out an array of special activities.

Bay of Plenty district commander superintendent Andy McGregor said the New Zealand Police have come a long way since June 1941 and he was proud to see women across the district celebrate these developments.

"Today in the Bay of Plenty we have 258 women working for us who make up about 34% of our workforce.

Their roles range from the front line response to those in support functions, investigations and prevention areas up to the rank of Senior Sergeant.

"It was great to get 157 of our women together from across the district recently for a development day.

"The organising committee put a lot of effort into the day and we had some great key notes speakers attend from outside of the district where they shared their experiences with the group about their journeys so far," Mr McGregor said.

"I have been invited to speak at a function hosted by the Mayor of Rotorua next Friday for our women and then it's off to Mount Ngongataha where I will be carrying the torch down the luge."

The schedule of the torch is below:

Friday 15 July

5pm: The torch will be received at Greerton Station.

Saturday 16 July:

11am: The torch will be transported by waka from Sulphur Point to Pilot Bay.

12pm: It will then be carried around Mauao and be received at the Mount Manganui station.

1.30pm: The torch will be transported via pushbike to Papamoa Station

3.30pm: The torch will be carried from Memorial Park via Devonport Rd and the Strand to the Tauranga Police station