Tributes to the Met's first black female officer
Sislin Fay Allen has died
Tributes have been paid to the Met's and the UK's first black female officer who has died at the age of 83.
Sislin Fay Allen joined in 1968 and has been described by Commisioner Cressida Dick as a pioneer and an inspiration.
At the age of 29, Sislin made a career change after previously working as nurse at Croydon’s Queens Hospital.
She trained at Peel House and her first posting was at Fell Road police station in Croydon, near her family and where she lived.
After spending a year at Croydon, she was posted to the Missing Persons Bureau at Scotland Yard and was later transferred to Norbury police station.
In 1972, Sislin resigned from the Met and returned to Jamaica with her Jamaican-born husband and two children. During her time in Jamaica, she continued her policing career and joined the Jamaica Constabulary.
Commissioner Cressida Dick, said: “I was so sad to hear that Sislin has passed away at the age of 83.
“Sislin was a pioneer of her time and an inspiration for many when she became the first black female police officer in the Met and the UK. She paved the way for so many women that have followed in her footsteps and joined the Met after her.
“Sislin’s legacy lives on and today we will remember her life and her unique contribution to policing.”
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