Born: 11 November 1874 (Königsberg, Germany)
Died: 22 August 1922 (Mainz, Germany)
Henriette Arendt (11 November 1874 – 22 August 1922) was a German writer and policewoman, known for being one of the earliest women to serve as a police officer. Born in Königsberg in 1874, she came from a Jewish merchant family. Arendt received her education in her hometown before continuing her studies in Geneva and Berlin. Fluent in German, Russian, French, and Italian, she later became a nurse.
It was in an unconventional manner that Arendt found her way into law enforcement. Seeking a position as a nurse in the prison hospital, she approached a prison doctor who regrettably informed her that there were no vacancies. However, he mentioned in jest that the police were in search of an older woman to supervise arrested women in the cells. Despite being only 28 years old at the time, Arendt decided to apply for the role. After negotiations, she was given the job with the title of Police Assistant. Thus, she became one of the few women in Europe to hold such a position, and the only policewoman on the continent.
Arendt was deeply passionate about her role as a policewoman, which sometimes led to conflicts with her employers. In addition to her duties in arresting suspected prostitutes, she took it upon herself to give talks and publish essays on the issues she observed. Her enthusiasm for her work, however, did not sit well with her superiors, and she eventually resigned under pressure. Following her resignation, she relocated to Switzerland, where she dedicated her efforts to aiding orphaned children and campaigning against the international trafficking of children.
Henriette Arendt documented her experiences in her book Erlebnisse einer Polizeiassistentin (Experiences of a Police Assistant), published in 1910. The book provides valuable insights into her work and the challenges she faced.
Sadly, Henriette Arendt passed away in Mainz in 1922, leaving behind a legacy of being one of the pioneering female police officers and a staunch advocate for the welfare of children.