Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has welcomed today’s appointment by the Policing Authority of Paula Hilman as an Assistant Commissioner in An Garda Síochána.
Paula Hilman will join An Garda Síochána in early May 2020 following her retirement at the end of this month from the Police Service of Northern Ireland where she is currently Detective Chief Superintendent, Public Protection Branch.
Commissioner Harris said, "This appointment is very welcome. Paula will bring over 30 years of experience across a wide range of policing areas to An Garda Síochána. Paula has held a number of senior roles such as investigating crimes against the vulnerable, overseeing public order operations, and working with other agencies to introduce criminal justice reform in areas such as victim support. This knowledge and experience will be invaluable to the organisation operationally and as we continue our ongoing reforms”.
Most recently Detective Chief Superintendent Hilman was Head of PSNI’s Public Protection Branch, responsible for investigating child abuse, domestic abuse and serious sexual crime, as well as working in partnership with other agencies to ensure adult and child safeguarding.
She is a Gold Public Order Commander and Strategic Firearms Commander. This has included command of events such as the Irish Open Golf Tournament, challenging public order operations across Belfast and consequence management of gang feuds.
As Head of PSNI Criminal Justice Branch, she worked with partners to deliver criminal justice reform, including working with the Public Prosecution Service to create Northern Ireland’s first Victim and Witness Care Unit.
Policing Authority press release can be found here
