c. 1885-1947
In 1918, Margaret Dugan, Justina Eller and Etta Fallon were appointed as Newark’s first policewomen and only policewomen for a long period afterwards. Born in Harrison, Margaret was a store detective before being appointed to the police.
Margaret was appointed director of the juvenile bureau and promoted to sergeant in 1943, with Etta Fallon, again the first women to do so. The newspaper stated they were considering promoting her to lieutenant. In 1945, she was transferred to the Chief’s Office due to illness.
In 1925, Margaret made the headlines of the Newark News defending flappers saying bobbed hair had little to do with delinquency. She also agreed movies had little to do with juvenile delinquency.
Margaret worked on many of the Family Court cases. Another one of Margaret’s assignments was dealing with the wartime curfew during WWII. She suggested there should be a curfew for mothers too. She also served on the Censor Bureau policing city theaters.
Bibliography
Photos, Charles F. Cummings New Jersey Information Center, Newark Picture Collection, “Newark – Police” file, Newark Library
“Mrs. Dugan, 62, Policewoman” Newark News Jan 3, 1947
“Requiem for Mrs. Dugan” Newark News Jan 5, 1947
“Sgt. Margaret Dugan” Star Ledger Jan 5, 1947
Newark News Morgue, Newark Library (reproduced below)
“Police Women Observe Life’s Seamy Side for 27 Years” Star Ledger May 19, 1946
