PSNI appoints a new commander to take over

PSNI appoints a new commander to take over

30 July 2014

DOWN District has a new police commander.

Chief Inspector Gillian West takes up the post on Monday, replacing Deirdre Bones who is moving to a position within the PSNI’s Service Improvement Department.

Chief Inspector West has 15 years’ service in the RUC and PSNI. She started her career as a probationer constable in Kilkeel in July 1999 before moving to Strandtown in Belfast, then headquarters as a detective constable.

In 2005, she was promoted to sergeant and moved to Newtownabbey as a response officer. She remained there until 2008 when she moved to Newtownards response.

She was promoted to inspector and took up a post in the Policy, Planning and Performance Department before becoming incident manager in the Incident Co-ordination Centre.

She was at the centre for four years before taking up the Down position following her promotion to the rank of Chief Inspector.

Commenting on her new role, Chief Inspector West said: “I am delighted to be taking on this position and I am firmly committed to ensuring the safety of the people in the Down area.

“There is an excellent foundation of partnership working in place in this area and I am looking forward to further building on this so that we can continue to deal with the issues that matter most to the local community such as antisocial behaviour and the harm caused by drugs.

“I believe that with the support of the local community, we can increase the effectiveness of officers, reduce the levels of crime and thereby increase public confidence in policing in this area.

“I am sure that while this will also be a challenging role, it will also be very worthwhile and satisfying.”