A woman was appointed to the second-most important policing job in Northern Ireland for the first time today.
Assistant Chief Constable Judith Gillespie has been promoted to be the new Deputy Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
The appointment of the 46-year-old, currently in charge of the PSNI Rural Region, to the £149,463-a-year post was made by the Northern Ireland Policing Board.
Board chairman Professor Sir Desmond Rea said: “I am delighted to confirm that ACC Gillespie has been appointed by the board as the new Deputy Chief Constable of the PSNI.
“ACC Gillespie brings a wealth of policing experience to the role and will play a key part in moving policing forward.
“ACC Gillespie has shown that she has the exceptional skills required to work as part of a highly professional and focused team,” Sir Desmond said.
She has been a police officer in Northern Ireland for 27 years.
PA