Fifty years after a court ordered it, Council honors Philadelphia's first women on street patrol

City Council marked the 50th anniversary of the first women hired for street patrol in the Philadelphia Police Department with a ceremony in Council chambers, the Philadelphia Tribune reported. 8th District Councilmember Cindy Bass presented the resolution on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson.

For residents, the history explains who patrols their blocks today. Women make up about 22% of the city's officers, nearly double the national average of about 12%, the Tribune reported.

How it started

According to the Tribune:

• In 1974, Officer Penelope Brace, a 10-year veteran, sued the city, saying she had been denied a promotion because she was a woman. The U.S. Justice Department separately challenged the department's hiring practices.
• The cases were combined. After a two-year study, a federal judge rejected the city's argument that women could not do police work.
• A 1976 decree ended the discriminatory hiring rules and required the city to hire 100 women for street patrol.
• Women moved from foot posts into patrol cars, specialized units and supervisory jobs. Brace became the city's first female detective, and Patricia Fox became the first female deputy commissioner.

Deputy Police Commissioner Kristen Dow Campbell said the first women were put on foot patrol in hopes "their spirit would break," the Tribune reported. Bass said that "fifty years ago, women had to fight for the opportunity to serve on street patrol," and said work remains on promotions and leadership, according to the paper. Deputy Commissioner Myesha Massey credited the original officers with opening the way for those who followed.

What our records add

• The resolution. Resolution 260813 celebrates the 50th anniversary of the department's "Women in Patrol" and honors "five decades of women's service and leadership in law enforcement." Bass is the primary sponsor.
• Adopted Oct. 1. It was introduced and adopted the same day, at the Oct. 1 session. The ceremony came four weeks later.
• Thirteen sponsors. Bass, Johnson, Anthony Phillips, Brian J. O'Neill, Jamie Gauthier, Jim Harrity, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Mark Squilla, Mike Driscoll, Nicolas O'Rourke, Nina Ahmad, Quetcy Lozada and Rue Landau.
• The 30x30 goal. The department has committed to the national 30x30 initiative, which aims for 30% women in policing by 2030, the Tribune reported. We found no Council bill in our records that sets a hiring target for the department; recruitment and staffing are set through the budget and the police contract.

What's next

The police contract is on Council's agenda this fall. Council has authorized the required public hearing on the city's contract proposal with the Fraternal Order of Police, to be held by the Committee of the Whole (our story). No date is set yet.