Edinburgh’s First Female Police Driver Celebrates 70 Years of Breaking Barriers
Mary d’Arcy Kincaid made a triumphant return to the force, marking 70 years since she smashed through the male-dominated world of policing. Scotland’s pioneering female police driver is still inspiring after all these decades.
From Male-Only Ad to Sergeant in Cyprus
Back in 1956, Mary saw an advert for police drivers—meant only for men. She wasn’t having any of that. After a chat with the Chief Inspector, she snagged a spot on the training course.
Her career skyrocketed. In 1957, Mary was one of just four Scots picked for a year-long stint in Cyprus. There, she recruited and trained female officers, ran the control room, and helped with roadblock searches. Her work earned her a promotion to Sergeant.
Climbing the Ranks in Edinburgh’s Crime Team
Mary returned to Edinburgh in 1958, working in the Southside before joining CID in 1960. By 1961, she was one of only two women on the city’s Crime Team, working alongside four men—a true trailblazer.
“I loved driving and knew I could do it well,” Mary recalled. “It felt amazing not having to rely on male colleagues to get around.”
Honoured by Police Scotland and a Legacy That Lives On
After leaving the force, Mary served as a Magistrate in Westminster and now lives in Gloucestershire with her husband of 53 years. Her legacy was honoured at St. Leonards Police Station, where senior officers welcomed her back.
Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond hailed Mary’s role in breaking down sexism in policing:
“Welcoming Mary and hearing her stories was a real pleasure. Police Scotland is committed to building on the progress led by trailblazers like her to tackle discrimination and improve life for our officers and the community.”
