Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary welcomes new District Commander for Hart and Rushmoor

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary welcomes Chief Inspector Gillian Cox as the new District Commander for policing in Hart and Rushmoor.

Gillian joined the Force in September 2003, beginning her 20-year career in Basingstoke, where she spent 12 years.

In 2006, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and enjoyed a number of roles including Custody Investigation Team Sergeant and Custody Sergeant, while raising two children with her husband.

Gillian then spent time in what was the Professional Development Unit (PDU), managing probationary constables and their tutors.

In Basingstoke, Gillian was heavily involved in the transition from the London Road custody block to the Northern Police Investigation Centre when it opened 2017.

Later that year, Gillian moved to the Control Room to gain a wider understanding of the Force and went on to complete the Tactical Firearms Commanders (TFC) course.

Two years later, she passed the Inspector promotion board and was promoted to Response & Patrol Inspector in the north of the county.

Gillian became a Chief Inspector in 2022 and was responsible for managing approximately 300 frontline Response & Patrol officers across five different sites.

She was then promoted to the role of the Hart & Rushmoor District Commander in 2023 and has supported her teams through organisational change.

Outside of work, Gillian raises two teenage children and enjoys running and going on city breaks with her family.

Ch Insp Gillian Cox said: “I’m lucky enough to have enjoyed a 20-year career in policing and I’m fortunate to have spent that time working in a variety of roles across different areas.

“Community policing is a huge passion of mine and I’m thrilled to be the new District Commander for Hart and Rushmoor.

“My teams across the district are extremely motivated and work hard to tackle issues that matter to the communities we serve.

“My current priorities for the district are to continue investigating vehicle crime, burglaries and shoplifting and business crimes.

“Throughout October we were incredibly successful with our efforts to combat shoplifting throughout the district and I’m pleased to say we were able to bring charges and put offenders before the courts.

“My message is clear – criminal behaviour in Hart and Rushmoor will not be tolerated and those that commit crime in the area will be dealt with.

“We will continue to work with our partners to ensure every part of the district is a safe area for those that work, live and visit.”