Women police doing good job

Mitchell-Philbert spent a week in Trinidad, taking in activities that marked the 50th anniversary of women entering the police service for the first time.

She joined the service in 1957, quitting after 21 years on medical grounds, with the rank of corporal.

As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, there was the unveiling of a commemorative stamp and she attended this function along with her contemporary retirees.

Although she was impressed by the professionalism displayed by young police officers, she warned that they should all adhere to discipline "which made the earlier policewomen strong."

For her, it was tough going when she was a policewoman stationed at police headquarters, Siparia, Besson Street and San Juan.

In addition to being a finger- print expert, she was a member of the then fraud squad and worked as a detective for some time.

Her toughest moments were when she was stationed at police headquarters in the 1970 "black power" uprising.

"We had to work long hours, and some of the businessmen of the day provided meals free of charge, because they were always happy when the police was around," she recalled.

A first-class hockey player in her day, Mitchell-Philbert was severely injured while playing left-wing for the police hockey sports club in a match against the then Casuals.

The injury forced her to retire from the service — medically unfit.