A West Yorkshire Police firearms team went all-female for 24 hours this week

West Yorkshire Police had 24 hours this week where all on-call firearms commanders were female - a first in its history - according to a Leeds inspector.
Stock image of female armed officer. Picture: PAStock image of female armed officer. Picture: PA
Stock image of female armed officer. Picture: PA

Spontaneous firearms commander Inspector Tanya Wilkins said how all commanders covering critical and firearms-related incidents between Tuesday and Wednesday night were female.

The feat is being considered a victory by many West Yorkshire Police staff.

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Inspector Wilkins, who is based at Pudsey, tweeted on Wednesday evening to say: "Think this is the first time in West Yorkshire Police history. 24 hours of all female spontaneous firearms commanders covering all critical and firearms incidents for the force. #femalesinfirearms"

Stock image of female armed officer. Picture: PAStock image of female armed officer. Picture: PA
Stock image of female armed officer. Picture: PA
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Gender split within West Yorkshire Police is virtually 50-50 when it comes to proportionately representing the county's population.

Data from official UK police database police.uk claims 50.8% of its workforce is female, and 49.2% is male.

However, when it comes to higher rankings within the force, representation is still in favour of men. Only 27.9% of sergeants, 30.5% of inspectors and 25.6% of chief inspectors and higher-ranking members are female.