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Vancouver's Women in Blue is here!

Thanks for joining me.  I am excited to announce the launch of my new book Vancouver's Women in Blue.  It's been a labour of love and respect. After many years of planning, research, interviews, writing, fact-checking and editing, the book is finally ready to share with you.

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On May 6, 1886, the City of Vancouver appointed their first chief constable, and 39 days later Vancouver became a pile of broken, charred and smoking remains. So began the start of the Vancouver Police Department. It took only four years before the call came for women matrons to care for female prisoners. The first, Matta Raymond, was hired in 1904. Over the next 71 years a mere 125 women would be hired to fill the roles of matrons , then policewomen, and finally female police constables.


Vancouver’s Women in Blue is a groundbreaking account of the history of the women who served with the Vancouver Police Department between 1904 and 1975. Theirs is the story of women who first joined as matrons and the slow, rather twisting path their role in policing travelled as it evolved into assignments as fully operational police constables. Set up chronologically, the chapters offer a record for each of the women hired, along with a brief synopsis of their careers. A sampling of real-life memories is also included. The story concludes with the women of 1975, as they were the first VPD women to become Certified Municipal Police Constables under the new rules regarding hiring and training of municipal police officers.

Soft cover / 8.5" x 11" / 286 pages / 251 photos

$49.95 (CAD) plus shipping

Excerpts from the Foreword and Endorsements

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Vancouver's Women in Blue  is a story of firsts within the Vancouver Police Department, and chronicles not just the names, but the lives of the women who dared to challenge the gender barriers before the phrase 'glass ceiling' was even coined...  Their stories are ones of courage and determination...  

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Beverley Busson, RCMP Commissioner (retired)

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An excellent read; former Deputy Chief Constable Carolyn Daley's history of the women in blue in the Vancouver Police Department is a story is that needs to be told... In her extremely impressive history, the former Deputy Chief takes her readers through the historical transformation of the Vancouver Police Department... A must read.

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The Honourable Wally Oppal, QC

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Readers' Comments

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What a delight it was to receive Ms. Harrison's donation to our library.  [We] were so impressed with the scope of your book.  Your historical research really shows how far the force has transformed and this book will add to our collection of biographies and historical works that speak to the abilities of women.

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One of our female students did her final Grade 12 inquiry project on women in the Vancouver Police Department and this is the type of book that could really provide a solid base for such future inquiries.   

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Point Grey Secondary School

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Vancouver's Women in Blue is also available at the following select bookstores:

  • Hager Books - 2176 West 41st Ave., Vancouver, BC

  • Vancouver Police Museum - 240 East Cordova St., Vancouver, BC

  • Volume One Bookstore - 149 Kenneth St., Duncan, BC​​

 

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