First female commander of Lewisham police

Chief Superintendent Kate Halpin. Pic: Metropolitan Police

Chief Superintendent Kate Halpin. Pic: Metropolitan Police

Chief Superintendent Kate Halpin has been appointed Borough Commander of Lewisham. She becomes the first female to hold the position in the borough.

Halpin joined forces with Metropolitan Police Services in 1990, to Carter Street Division in the areas of Walworth and Camberwell.

Halpin said: “In being appointed the Borough Commander for Lewisham I intend to continue the good work of Chief Supt. Russell Nyman in working to reduce crime and prosecute those responsible for it.”

Originally from south London she vividly recollects her selection interview when the Metropolitan Police “could send her anywhere, even to Wembley.”

Halpin has been involved in a wide range of professions, assisting predominantly in investigative positions throughout south east London and a number of specialist departments including the Child Protection Major Enquiry Team, Professional Standards Department and the Met’s specialist rape command.

It is 100 years since female police officers were given the power of arrest.

“I am honoured that I have joined Lewisham in the same year we celebrate women like Edith Smith who died 1924, the first woman police officer in the United Kingdom with full power of arrest,” Halpin said.

She will be attending each of the Safer Neighbourhood ward panels and listening to what local residents and businesses require of the police; sustaining stronger partnerships working plans in associations with the local authority and other agencies aiming to rectify problems that the police are unable to handle alone.

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