Judith Gillespie
Judith Kyle Gillespie, CBE is a retired senior police officer. She was the Deputy Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland between June 2009 and March 2014.
Early life and education
Gillespie was born and raised in North Belfast and was educated at Belfast Royal Academy She completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in public policy and administration in 1992. She went on to study for a master's degree in applied criminology at the University of Cambridge, which she completed in 2005.Police career
Gillespie began her policing career when she joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1982 as a police constable. During her initial training at Enniskillen, she was awarded the Baton of Honour. She had previously been rejected by the RUC because of her gender. She spent her early career policing the Greater Belfast area. She was promoted to chief inspector in 1997, superintendent in 1999, and chief superintendent in 2002.In 2003, she attended the Strategic Command Course at the Police Staff College, Bramshill. In 2004, she was appointed assistant chief constable. This made her the first female to reach chief officer rank in the Police Service of Northern Ireland. On 1 June 2009, she was promoted to deputy chief constable, becoming the second most senior police officer in Northern Ireland. She served as acting chief constable from August 2009 to September 2009. In March 2011, she was given the opportunity to retire early with a £500,000 severance package but chose to continue her career. She retired from the police on 31 March 2014.
A keen sportswoman, she played hockey and squash for the RUC. In 2013, when the World Police and Fire Games was held in Belfast, Northern Ireland, she served as the chair of the board.
Personal life
Gillespie is married and has two daughters.She took up running after the death of the sister-in-law from cancer. She has completed the Belfast Marathon relay, Race for Life and the Great North Run, raising money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Honours
Gillespie was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2009 Birthday Honours for public service. In the 2014 Birthday Honours, she was promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to policing and the community in Northern Ireland. In July 2012, she was awarded an honorary Doctorate by Queen's University Belfast.| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
| Order of the British Empire |
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| Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal | ||
| Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal | ||
| Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal |