Off the ‘Cuff

Phyllis', early in her career. (VPM Archives)

This past week, we paid tribute to a woman who served as Vancouver Police Department’s first female Sergeant. Phyllis Mortimore passed away two weeks ago at the age of 92, after both a long and distinguished career and also a long and distinguished retirement. She helped pave the way for the 316 women that currently serve as members of the Vancouver Police Department.

Phyllis’  long life intersected with many different parts of our city’s history:

• She was the longest living member of Christ Church Cathedral, christened there in 1917 and active in church affairs until her passing.
• She was voted “most beautiful baby” at the PNE in 1918.
• She was taught to swim as a child by the legendary Vancouver lifeguard (and VPD Special Constable) Joe Fortes.

Phyllis (3rd from the left) and others at a VPD Function. (VPD Archives N01200s)

At 27, she was hired to the Vancouver Police Department as one of its early female officers. The Second World War had depleted the ranks of the VPD as many officers went overseas to serve, and so a number of women were hired as constables. At that time, she was supplied with a whistle, a badge and a police call box key but had to provide her own uniform.

Almost right away, her life intersected with a pivotal moment in Vancouver’s history. She described it as follows: “During World War II I became involved in a government-initiated plan that remains one of the greatest injustices of the 20th century, the confinement of Japanese-Canadians… During this horrendous episode, one of my duties was to assist the RCMP who were charged with escorting these poor people to the trains that carried them to the interior of the province for internment.” Certainly a challenging way to begin a career!

Phyllis, about to demonstrate her judo training? (VPM Archives N01195c)

A decade later, she played an important role in ensuring pay-equity for women in the VPD. In her own words: “One day in the mid-1950’s I saw Chief Constable George Archer getting into an elevator and I knew this was my chance. He had no way to escape the confined space so I asked him why we were not getting the same pay as the male officers. He replied “Well, you do not do the same work as the men.” I said, “I hate to contradict you, sir, but we do exactly the same work, but for much less pay.” Although taken aback, he asked me to submit to him personally a detailed report on our work within the police force, documenting the inequality between the men’s and women’s pay. I did this and forwarded my report to him. He took action. The Police Commission granted the raise in 1956…”

Wayne Mortimore with Chris Mathieson, discussing donated items. (Photo by News1130)

A year after that, she was the first woman promoted to the rank of sergeant in the Vancouver Police Department, earning the highest score of the 127 constables who wrote the exam that year. Despite her score, she still had to lobby for the promotion but her persistence was rewarded, opening up the opportunity for others to follow, which they did.

Phyllis also made a name for herself through her expert shooting ability, competing in (and winning) many different pistol and revolver competitions during her time on the job. (She was a member of the club mentioned in this post.)

She continued to serve with the VPD until March 1973 when she was rear-ended by another driver on her way to work. She took medical leave and tried to return to a desk job but chose instead to retire in 1974. Although no longer on the job, she kept active by dedicating herself to the Girl Guides organization as well as police-related organizations like the Vancouver Police Credit Union and the Vancouver Superannuated Police Officers Association (retired VPD member’s association). She was granted lifetime memberships to many organizations for her involvement and dedication to those causes.

Some of the items donated by the family.(Photo by News1130)

Last Thursday, we held a small press conference at the museum, providing the media information about her life and achievements. One of the members of her family, her nephew Wayne, joined us and shared some of his personal recollections of her. He also brought a number of items the family had found that related to her time as a police woman and donated them to the museum. Once we’ve processed them, expect to see her retirement badges, Long Service medal, shooting awards and more on display. In two years, when we’ve finished our major exhibit on the history of women in the VPD, expect Phyllis to be a significant part.

Her passing was noted in many media outlets including News 1130, CBC-TV (streaming video), Vancouverite, Vancouver Sun, and Global BC (streaming video). Please check them out!

You can also find out more about Phyllis, in her own words, by checking out the following interview transcribed by the staff at Christ Church Cathedral for their newsletter in the summer of 2009.

Thank you, Phyllis, for the trail that you blazed; our city and our police force are the better for it.

Tags:   history · media interviews · phyllis mortimore · VPCU · VSPOA · women in the VPD2 Comments