Deputy Chief Constable visits Knockbreda
Deputy Chief Constable, Mrs Judith Gillespie recently visited Knockbreda Parish Church to speak to the 'Thursday Club'.
She was welcomed to the Parish by the curate, Revd Stanley Gamble who said it was "an honour and a privilege to have one of Northern Ireland's leading police figures come to speak to us."
Judith Gillespie joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1982. Having achieved the Baton of Honour during her initial training Judith went on the rise steadily though the ranks gaining a wide range of experience in various roles. She was the first female officer to become Assistant Chief Constable within the PSNI and became Deputy Chief Constable in June 2009.
Judith spoke to the large gathering about the importance of good citizenship and the need for community policing.
The Deputy Chief Constable said, "Policing is an endeavour that relies so much on the active support of the community. My father taught me this through his actions when I was a child and I have never forgotten it since. There are so many ways in which responsible Christian citizens can help and support the police - by taking care and showing consideration on our roads, by being aware of the types of crimes that are going on and reporting anything suspicious to the police, even by offering the local Neighbourhood officers a cup of tea, but most importantly by remembering the police service in your prayers......"
She was presented with a gift for the RUC/PSNI Benevolent Fund by Mrs Mina Kelso, 'Thursday Club' chairwoman, who thanked the Deputy Chief Constable for giving up her time to deliver such an impressive talk.
The 'Thursday Club' is a community group for the elderly of Newtownbreda. It meets monthly in Knockbreda Parish Hall to provide friendship and fellowship by running various successful events.