The black community has lost a pacesetter who paved way for other black women in the Met Police force.
Sislin Fay Allen otherwise known as Day Allen, Britain’s first black policewoman has died. Mrs Allen died at her home in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on 5 July.
Announcing her sad departure in a statement, the trailblazer cop’s family wrote;
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of her beloved mother, Sislin.
“She passed away at her home in Jamaica, Ocho Rios.
“As the first black female police officer in the Metropolitan police force, she not only paved the way for so many other minority and female officers, she set the bar.”
In a statement the Met Police said: “We are grateful for your service Sislin, you paved the way for so many others.”
Sislin Fay Allen in 1968 at age 29 became Britain’s first black policewoman following her bold move to join London’s Metropolitan Police Force after deciding to make a career change after seeing a recruitment advert for male and female officers.
She resigned from the Met Police in 1972.
In 2020 she received a lifetime achievement award from the National Black Police Association (NBPA).
Andy George, President of the NBPA said: “Her contribution to policing in the United Kingdom cannot be underestimated.
“The courage that trailblazers like her showed in joining the police service allowed others to follow a career in policing.
“We thought it was fitting to name an annual award in her honour to showcase her contribution to policing and to ensure a long-lasting legacy is created in her name to recognise fellow trailblazers in policing today.”
Tributes have seen began pouring in.
Read more about her here
