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Fair Cop: A Century of British Policewomen

Documentary about the history of Britain's female police force, exploring the careers and ambitions of police officers determined to succeed in a profession that never wanted them.

With 2015 marking the 100th anniversary of the first British policewoman being given the power of arrest, this film takes us through the remarkable history of 100 years of Britain's female police force. It explores the individual careers and ambitions of women police officers who, through their bravery and guile, were determined to succeed in a profession that never wanted them. It's a story of class, drive and sheer guts, entwined with a darker side of sexism, snobbery, intimidation and betrayal.

Includes interviews with former policewomen who pushed boundaries in the profession such as Sislin Fay Allen, Britain's first black policewoman, Cressida Dick, Britain's highest-ever-ranking policewoman, Alison Halford, who brought a high-profile sex discrimination charge against the police, and Jackie Malton, who provided the model for Prime Suspect's Jane Tennison. These interviews are combined with fascinating facts and illuminating stories from expert historians and current serving officers who have made their careers in the specialist areas of the mounted police and firearms units.

This is a story about ingenuity and determination as well as law and order. A Fair Cop is a hidden history of our society, depicting a battle of the sexes that masked a battle for power.

1 hour, 30 minutes

Last on

Wed 5 Jun 2019 01:00
主播大秀 Four

Clips

See all clips from Fair Cop: A Century of British Policewomen (3)

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:06

    Uncredited Male Vocal

    The Boys of The Old Brigade

  • 00:39

    Junior Murvin

    Police And Thieves

  • 00:41

    Can

    I Want More

  • 00:54

    Nils Frahm

    More

  • 01:22

    Cyndi Lauper

    Girls Just Want To Have Fun

Credits

Production Company If Not Us Films
Narrator Sarah Lancashire
Executive Producer David Herman
Executive Producer Lindsay Shapero
Director Martina Hall
Producer Martina Hall
Production Manager Lynette Slight
Assistant Producer Molly Crossthwaite

Broadcasts

Interested in this subject? Why not try WPC 56?

Claudia Jessie talks joining WPC 56, a drama about the first female police officers.

Related Links

  • (www.essex.police.uk)
  • (www.policemuseum.org.uk)
  • (www.cityoflondon.police.uk)
  • (www.gmpmuseum.co.uk)
  • (www.yorkshire.com)
  • (www.oldpolicecellsmuseum.org.uk)