Mar. 12, 1965 - The NYPD promoted women to the rank of sergeant for the first time today.
One of the two promoted, Miss Felicia Shpritzer (right), had sued for permission to take the sergeant’s examination in 1961.
Police Commissioner Michael Murphy opposed her suit on the ground that a sergeant’s duties were physically unsuitable for a woman. But Miss Shpritzer won a final decision in the Court of Appeals in June 1963.
Miss Shpritzer and 125 other policewomen took the test last April 11. Of those taking the test, Miss Shpritzer and Mrs. Gertrude Schimmel were selected for promotion today.
In a speech at a ceremony in Police Headquarters, Commissioner Murphy said:“This day marks another significant milestone in our department’s history — the emergence of our policewomen from the ranks. For the first time, two of our policewomen will wear three stripes. We welcome them and wish them well.”
Mrs. Schimmel (left) is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, graduate of Hunter College, author of a book (“Joan Palmer, Policewoman”), and mother two teenaged sons. She is 46 years old.
She is also a veteran of 24 years in the police department, the last 19 of them in the Youth Division. Her husband, Alfred Schimmel, a real estate appraiser, and sons looked on proudly as she was promoted today.
But when asked whether her new authority would have any effect at home, Mr. Schimmel replied: “That jurisdiction stops at the threshold.” The Schimmels live in the Bronx.
Miss Shpritzer has been a policewoman for 23 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Hunter, a master’s from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Public Administration in Police Science from the City University. She is 51 years old and lives in Manhattan.
The two women will alternate as supervisors of about 160 policewomen attached to the Bureau of Policewomen.
Thus, no policeman will be supervised by a woman. But both women said they felt a good officer would not resent such supervision.
“It only hurts for a little while,” Mrs. Schimmel remarked of the possibility.
The promotions will raise their annual pay from $8,098 to $8,919, with advancement in three years to the rank’s top level, $9,450.
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