As the structure of society becomes more complex, women are being required to take on an increasing variety of tasks. An example is provided by Chen Mei-chuan, a member of the Republic of China's National Assembly who can look back on a successful career as a policewoman. "Women are no less competent than men, but have to put in more efforts to be successful," is how Chen sums her philosophy on the subject.

Chen started her career with the Provincial Police Department when her application to the Ministry of the Interior was accepted in 1951. As she embarked on her duties as a leader of a policewomen's squad, she did not mind her meager pay and low rank. Realizing the need for more women in the police force to maintain social order, she managed to persuade the Taiwan Provincial Police School to enlist 65 extra female recruits in 1965. Chen's enthusiasm in doing this "man's job" is based on her belief that women have an equal share in ensuring the nation's well-being. She considers the police force to be "society's physician" charged with the sacred mission of curing its illnesses. She also believes that women should be responsible for organizing their own affairs and struggling for their rights so as to win support from society at large.

Today, a policewoman's work has become more systemized. Among tasks for which women take a particular responsibility are looking after lost children and distressed women, preventing and investigating crimes in which women or children may be involved, and helping to direct traffic during rush hours. They must learn to accept work which may go on round the clock and patrol either by car or on foot, in the same way as their male colleagues. Vehicle patrols last from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., while foot patrols, usually be a two-woman team, are emphasized around recreation areas, so as to help maintain social security.

Since policewomen are often required to expose themselves to danger and challenges, they must have nerves of steel. For instance, they may be asked to act as "bait" to catch certain types of criminal, or may even have to pose as convicts in order to obtain information on suspects. Their courage therefore surpasses that of women in most professions. Policewomen must also accept the fact that their work will leave them with little time for their families, especially during traditional holidays such as the Chinese New Year. It is therefore not surprising that policewomen tend to marry policemen.

In Taiwan, the "cradles" of the police force are the Taiwan Provincial Police School, which has 300 female cadets, and the Central Police Academy, with 107. During the training period, one year in the school and four in the academy, students are taught modern techniques, cultivation of the right temperament and trained in such skills as shooting, judo, arrest procedures, driving and military operations. During their spare time, they organize basketball and shooting teams, which have won many medals in national competitions. To qualify, school students must score more than 70 in shooting and win the fourth award in judo, while those in the academy must attain first dan in judo. Students are provided with free tuition, and in most cases are allowed to choose their place of work after graduation.

To enter the school, candidates must be senior high school graduates, single, aged between 18 and 23, and over 162 cm. in height. At first, because of the time taken to train a policewoman, candidates had to agree not to get married within three years after graduation, but as circumstances changed, the period might be reduced to one or two years.

As the number of female offenders has increased, male officers have found it inconvenient to handle more and more criminal cases. By filling this role, policewomen have been able to broaden their minds, obtain valuable experience and find a direct way to dedicate themselves to the country. On Dec. 16 last year, when the Carter administration announced the switch in relations from Taipei to Peiping, angry protestors marched to American Embassy in the North Gate area of Taipei. Under the direction of Lin Chin-chi, leader of the policewomen's team, female police officers joined their male colleagues to maintain order. Subduing their own strong feelings on the subject, these officers tried to calm down the crowds. In a time of adversity, the policewomen showed fully their patriotism and shouldered the same responsibilities as male officers. They explained: "We are confident and determined to face every challenge. We are equal to men in completing any task."