They are Wan Aulia Hami Fariheen Wan Azulkefeli, 31, Yeoh Yee Chee, 31, Siti Nabila Abdullah, 33, and Nur Hidayah Aisa, 33.

They were among 12 police officers who qualified for the private pilot’s licence at the police air wing training base here today, Bernama reported.

“This is the first time that the air wing has recruited female officers to be trained,” said deputy Inspector-General of Police, Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.

Ayob Khan said PGU’s role is divided into six main areas namely public safety and order, crime prevention, operational support as well as mercy, tactical and training flights.

The air wing’s commander, Noor Sham Jani, said the four officers were selected for the pilot’s course after strict screening of 36 participants.

“This is our pioneer team. Hopefully, we will have six women helicopter pilots next month,” he said.

Ipoh-born Nur Hidayah, who was named the best flight trainee, said the batch of female pilots would have to prove their skills and abilities as much as men.

Siti Nabila said she was motivated to take the course as a personal challenge to do something new.

Yeoh said she entered the police force to help the community. She took up flight training to prove that women could have a place in aviation as women are rarely represented in this field.

“My father is a businessman. In the Chinese mindset, it is difficult to get into the civil service, so I took it as a challenge.

“I was interested and applied by going through several stages which gave me a sense of achievement to become a police officer so that I can help the community,” she said.