AN ALVA woman has claimed another entry into the history books as she becomes the first female chief at Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland.

Former police officer Gill Imery has been confirmed as HM's chief inspector and will be taking over from Derek Penman early next month.

Born and bred in the Wee County, she attended Dollar Academy and went on a distinguished career in the force, spanning more than 30 years.

The trailblazer has long-since lead paved way for women in law enforcement, having been named the first female divisional commander in Edinburgh and later the first head of public protection and divisional crime.

Mrs Imery has recently been assistant to Mr Penman – again a first for women – and has previously led a national charge in critical areas of police work including rape recording and investigation and the management of registered sex offenders.

She also raised investigation standards into honour-based violence, female genital mutilation and forced marriage while establishing a consultancy group that worked with the often unheard ethnic minority voices that the police had little contact with.

To top it all off, she also received the Queen's Police Medal, as previously reported in the Advertiser.

On her latest appointment Mrs Imery said: “I am extremely proud to have been appointed to the role of HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland and am optimistic about the part HMICS can play in supporting improvement in policing for the benefit of the Scottish public.

“I believe it is important to have independent and objective scrutiny of policing to ensure challenging issues are addressed as well as to highlight the positive contribution policing makes to our communities.”

In her new role, Mrs Imery will be monitoring and evaluating Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.

She will also be expected to deliver an annual report to Holyrood representatives on the police service in the country.

Welcoming Mrs Imery into the job was justice secretary Michael Matheson, who said: “HMICS plays a vital role in ensuring Scotland’s police continue to perform their duties to a high standard as they strive to keep Scotland’s communities safe.

“With a career spanning over 30 years in Scottish policing, most recently as assistant inspector of constabulary, Gillian Imery brings with her a wealth of experience to the role of chief inspector of constabulary in Scotland.

“I am confident that Mrs Imery’s invaluable policing background and time already spent in HMICS will stand her in good stead as the new chief inspector.”