A WEE COUNTY woman who led a trailblazing law enforcement career has received her Queen's Police Medal at Buckingham Palace two weeks ago.

As the Advertiser reported last summer when her name was announced on the Queen's Birthday Honours list 2017, Chief Superintendent Gillian Imery rose through the ranks during her 30-year service.

The 51-year-old, who grew up in the Hillfoots and attended Dollar Academy, was the first ever woman to become a detective sergeant in Edinburgh, later taking the role of divisional commander.

Around five years ago she became Police Scotland's first head of public protection and divisional crime.

It was here that Gill progressed national standards of investigation into rape, female genital mutation, forced marriage and honour-based violence.

She also led a national charge in critical areas of work including the management of registered sex offenders.

Engaging with the often unheard voices who had little contact with the authorities, she also established a consultancy group with third sector organisations to focus on minority issues.

More recently, the Clackmannanshire born and bred woman became the first female officer to take the job of assistant inspector at HM Inspector and Constabulary in Scotland.

Gill recently told the Advertiser that she was “very proud and very grateful” when she first heard about her QPM nomination.

She added: “It came as a surprise, I don’t think anyone should have an expectation anyway, but I never thought about it so to receive the communication to say I was going to be given that honour was just fantastic.”