POLICING in Inverclyde today enters a fresh new era with the appointment of a Greenock born and bred Area Commander.

Debbie Reilly — a down-to-earth Chief Inspector with a wealth of experience to draw upon — told of her 'genuine pride' in taking up the 'privilege' of her professional life.

Talking exclusively to the Telegraph, Chief Inspector Reilly said: "It is an absolute honour, genuinely, it is.

"I've lived in Greenock my entire life, most of my family still live in Greenock, all of my friends live in Greenock, so for me, I really care about Inverclyde, about the people and about how Inverclyde is perceived in other areas.

"To be given this opportunity, to try and make a difference here, I don't think in policing there is any better job."

Our new police chief moved quickly to dispel any concern that she may be another short-term visitor to the post, declaring: "I'm here - and I'm here for the long term."

Chief Inspector Reilly added: "People who know me know that when I'm here they're getting 100 per cent."

She said: "I know the area really well and a lot of the partners that we're going to be working with.

"I've got good links with the council, the health arena and the community partnerships within housing.

"That's an advantage right away because they know that any decisions I make they have to be the right decisions.

"That's really my responsibility. I have to live here as well, so it affects me and it affects my family.

"I will put everything into the role, that's a guarantee I can give to people."

Chief Inspector Reilly, a 46-year-old working mum, has been involved in the criminal justice system for 30 years, firstly within the Crown Office and for the last 16 years as a police officer.

She has worked in various police offices around the country, including in Pollok and Dumbarton, as well as in roads policing, as a sergeant in Greenock.

Her experience elsewhere includes the former Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, where she was promoted to the rank of inspector within the organised crime and counter-terrorism unit.

Chief Inspector Reilly has also been seconded to the Crown Office's serious organised crime division and for the last 18 months was an integral part of Police Scotland's professional standards arm.

But Greenock is where she wants to be, and she has a no nonsense 'it's not rocket science' approach to policing.

The chief inspector said: "Violence, disorder and antisocial behaviour are subjects people are quite vocal about, and it's not just about crime, it's about protecting people from the risk of harm.

"We don't just deal with crime on a daily basis, we deal with people with all sorts of issues.

"If somebody needs help they phone the police, and it's our job to help them.

"You have to listen to what the public are telling you, that's one of the key things.

"It's also about a positive image and being decent with the public."

She is also determined to forge strong personal links with a host of local groups, including the Craigend Resource Centre, Broomhill Tenants and Residents Association and community councils — organisations she describes as 'gold dust' for policing and the 'absolute heart of their communities'.

The chief inspector said: "I'm planning to be as visible as possible and speak to as many different groups because I need to listen to what their concerns are.

"It's only when you listen to them that you can decide how you are going to act upon something.

"We want to be able to say to people, 'We've listened to what you've told us, and now we're acting upon it'.

"My plan is to visit all key community groups in time, meet people face-to-face and listen to them.

"Officers are out there doing that already and I'm not going to undermine that."

Chief Inspector Reilly added: "If you're that member of the public who has had the confidence to pick up the phone and dial 101 or call Crimestoppers and then seen a result of, say, a door going in then that's a disruption to criminal activity and that's having an impact on communities."

Turning to her 'brilliant' new workplace, the chief inspector said: "One of the things about Greenock police office is that a lot of the officers who work here are also from this area, or have some other vested interest, and they genuinely care.

"I was quite taken aback by some of the work that goes on in here and the real passion that the officers have about their work and their attitude towards it.

"That was a draw for me because this is a fantastic office to work in. It's got a brilliant atmosphere.

"Even the office has a great sense of community about it, so genuinely I'm really proud."