On September 12, 1910, Alice Stebbins Wells was sworn in by the LAPD, becoming the first American woman police officer with full arrest powers.
On September 12, 1910, Alice Stebbins Wells was officially sworn in as a police officer of the Los Angeles Police Department, making her the first woman in the United States to hold full police powers, including the authority to make arrests. Prior to this appointment, women in law enforcement, if employed at all, were typically restricted to clerical roles or matron duties overseeing female prisoners.
Wells achieved this breakthrough after petitioning the Los Angeles City Council and the LAPD directly, arguing that a woman officer could better serve the needs of women and children in the city — particularly in dance halls, theaters, and other public venues where young people were considered at risk. Her badge, famously known as "Badge Number One," became a symbol of her singular achievement.
This appointment marked a turning point in American policing, introducing the concept of protective and preventive policing focused on social welfare rather than pure law enforcement. Wells's success paved the way for other cities across the U.S. to hire policewomen, and she became a tireless advocate, touring the country to promote the hiring of women officers. Her legacy directly shaped the modern role of women in law enforcement and is commemorated by the LAPD and law enforcement historical organizations to this day.