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Mkey: 56744 Sitter/Title: Mary Sophia Allen (centre) with four members of her force Qualifier: by Artist(s): Mrs Albert Broom (Christina Livingston) Date made: 1916 Medium: bromide print Ref Neg Number: 41364 Credit line: © National Portrait Gallery, London Authority data import (Capture): Founder, Commandant of Women Police in London, Female, The Great War: The Home Front People Authority (Sitters): Mary Sophia Allen Measurements: 4 3/8 in. x 5 5/8 in. (110 mm x 143 mm) Caption: This print shows Sub-commandant Mary Allen, one of the earliest members of the Women's Police Service (WPS), with members of her force. Although the government refused to make the WPS a permanent section of the police force after the war, their work paved the way for the decision in 1920 to recruit women into the police force.