The Scottish Institute for Policing Research are extremely excited to announce that Gill Imery will be taking over the role of chair of the International Advisory Committee (IAC). Gill is succeeding Derek Penman who has been IAC chair since 2019 and has supported SIPR through many successful endeavours, including re-establishing the importance and purpose of the IAC which brought together a diverse group (both in terms of geography and discipline) to guide the strategic direction of SIPR.
Gill Imery has over 36 years of public service experience, all in roles related to criminal justice and policing. A serving police officer for 32 years, Gill carried out a variety of roles across the country. She was a Detective Chief Superintendent in Specialist Crime Division, providing national leadership to achieve consistency in standards and policy across all strands of public protection including rape, child sexual abuse, and human trafficking.
On secondment to HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, Gill conducted a review of the provision of forensic medical services for victims of rape and child sexual abuse and authored a report that was the catalyst for a Scottish Government taskforce and funding. Ultimately this led to a change in the law in Scotland, ensuring that all health boards deliver forensic medical services and that victims have access to “self-referral” to request an examination without having to make a report to the police.
Gill recently retired from her position as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland where she was responsible for setting the strategic direction for the inspectorate and deciding on the priorities for inspection. During Gill’s 4-year tenure, she published 27 inspection reports and 4 annual reports which included her assessment of the state of policing in Scotland.
Since April 2022, Gill has been the external chair to oversee the implementation of recommendations made by an independent review of the response to deaths in prison custody. Throughout this work, she has prioritised the need to hear the views of families.
In July 2022, Gill was awarded an honorary doctorate for services to policing by Edinburgh Napier University.
Gill stated “It is a real privilege to be asked to take on the role of chair of the International Advisory Committee for the Scottish Institute for Policing Research. I am very much looking forward to engaging with a wide network of key contacts nationally and internationally and exploring opportunities to share learning and collaborate on research to enhance the knowledge base for policing policy and practice.”
