Police chief ‘blown away’ by praise as she steps down
Police Scotland’s area commander for Mid Argyll, Kintyre, Oban, Lorn and the Islands has hung up her baton and handcuffs for the final time after 28 years of service.
Chief Inspector Marlene Baillie was joined by colleagues from across the region for her final day on the job last Thursday.
Marlene grew up in Kirkintilloch, just outside Glasgow, and graduated from the University of Glasgow with an MA (Hons) in English literature and politics before joining what was then Strathclyde Police in 1994.
‘I did various part-time jobs to see me through university,' Marlene said, ‘but, on graduating, I wanted to do an active job and one in which I could also help people; the police seemed a perfect fit.’
She was initially posted to North Lanarkshire before transferring to Glasgow where she worked in various roles, both in uniform and CID.
In 2000, she applied for a secondment to Argyll and was placed in Oban, where she intended on staying for only the summer months.
‘But I fell in love with the area and the warmth and friendliness of the people and permanently transferred, moving to Oban that same year,’ said Marlene.
She sat her police promotion exams early in her service and applied for a sergeant post, based at Lochgilphead, where she then worked for four years, also carrying out the role of local authority liaison officer with Argyll and Bute Council.
Marlene was promoted to inspector at Dunoon in 2006 and then chief inspector/area commander in 2009. At this time, she had moved to Kintyre and was based at Campbeltown Police Office.
‘I have loved my time as a police officer,’ said Marlene. ‘It has been a fulfilling and rewarding vocation and I have especially enjoyed the time I have been in Argyll.
‘The support and assistance I have been provided with over the years by members of the public and partners has been outstanding.
‘Argyll is a special place to work and live and I have been blessed that I have been able to enjoy my time policing here.
‘I appreciate the job has changed significantly since I joined but I would still recommend it to anyone who feels they want to make a difference, and there is no better place where you feel you are doing that than in Argyll.
‘Communities here are resilient and people look after one another and they are genuinely grateful for the services that are provided by agencies such as the police.’
Marlene’s retirement came slightly earlier than planned but she intends to use the additional time to spend with her family and friends.
‘The last two years due to Covid have restricted my ability to do that, so it is a chance to make up for lost time,’ she said. ‘I intend on continuing to live in Kintyre as it has a special place in my heart and I consider here to be home.
‘I would like to take the opportunity to thank all my staff, members of the public and partners for the help and support they have provided me over the years. I wish them all the very best for the future.’
Before she walked out of Campbeltown Police Office as a civilian, colleagues gathered to present Marlene with a range of gifts, including a frame containing four medals she was awarded during her career, her hat badge and epaulettes, and her finger prints that were taken when she first signed up.
Before presenting her with the gift, Chief Superintendent Lynn Ratcliff, divisional commander for the Argyll and West Dunbartonshire division, said: 'Marlene has consistently put L Division [Argyll and West Dunbartonshire], the communities of LB subdivision [Mid Argyll, Kintyre, Oban, Lorn and the Islands] and lots of people in this room – and plenty who have gone before you – before herself and I think that’s the mark of Marlene.’
‘She is the most selfless individual I've ever had the privilege of knowing, not just within work but in life, and she will be a huge loss to this division. We’ll be forever grateful for her contribution to our lives, both personally and professionally. Marlene, from the division and from Police Scotland to you, our thanks and our congratulations.'
Inspector Paul Collins, who covers the Lochgilphead and Campbeltown areas, added: ‘You’ve made such a big difference to the careers of very many and to the personal lives, with the support that you’ve offered, of quite a lot of us.
‘On behalf of everybody within the team, some of whom have known you far longer than I’ve had the personal pleasure of doing so, thank you for everything.
‘You will be massively missed. Enjoy your wellearned retirement.’
Marlene responded: ‘Every day I’m blown away by the commitment, hard work, dedication, talent and teamwork of our police staff; the job you do is immense and I am so proud when I talk about things you’ve achieved – people you've locked up, people you've helped, people you've saved – and it’s unbelievable in terms of the limited resources we have.
'The job you do is just incredible; I am so proud and I can't tell you how much I’m going to miss you all. From the bottom of my heart, thank you very, very much.'