Soon after the First World War broke, the first women's police Volunteer was formed in 1914. Margaret Damer Dawson approached Chief Commissioner of Police, Sir Edward Henry with the idea of providing professional training for women. it was an attempt to deter pimps and discourage young women from entering prostitution.

She was granted the backing of Sir edward henry, and with Nina Boyle, formed the Women's Police Volunteers (WPV). Some of the reasons that their proposal was granted was because of the outbreak of The War, many policemen were joining The Army and the women were willing to do the policing without pay.

in 1915, they renamed the organisation and changed the name from Women's Police Volunteers to the Women's Police service (WPS). At first, they concentrated their efforts in London, although The Metropolitan Commissioner did not call upon their sevices to support the Metropolitan Police at any time.

Grantham in Lincolnshire was the first provincial town to form a branch of the Women's Police Service. Their hard work was rewarded by two women being made full members.

One member of the WPS was recruited by The navy, in an attempt to uncover drug taking and spying at the Scapa Flow Naval Base.

When The Armistice was signed, the Cheif commissioner Sir nevil Macready refused to make the 357 women who had served the Women's Police Service a permanent part of his team. He insited that they were "too educated", and might "irritate" the male members of the force. Instead, he recruited and trained his own women.