Yesterday was a big day for women who are members of Rome’s police force. For the first time ever, two female police offers, Alessia and Alessandra, stood atop the traffic-cop pedestal in Piazza Venezia, directing the chaotic five-way intersection that is at the very center of historic Rome.
The round concrete pedestal, from which members of Rome’s police force have gracefully waved their white-gloved since 1898.
”It’s the most visible position in Rome,” said Angelo Giuliani, the head of Rome’s traffic police.
”And I can say with the greatest satisfaction that it has been admirably filled by women, an important step forward”.
It has featured in several films, including Il Vigile starring late Italian comic actor Alberto Sordi as a traffic cop who caused havoc with his confused signals to cars.
Regular readers of eCool will also remember that actor Tim Robbins took the stand and helped direct traffic in Piazza Venezia some years ago while attending the Rome Film Festival.
Photos via La Repubblica
