Marcia Gillespie
The Hague
Summary
I am currently employed by the International Criminal Court as an Associate Witness Protection Training officer. I have a wide range of experience within law enforcement agencies. My areas of expertise are in the design and delivery of training in a broad range of law enforcement subject areas, my expertise witness protection risk management and legend building for children. Accredited practitioner/trainer, recognised as a UK and International expert in the design, development and delivery of International and National protected persons training programme. Police officer of 30 years, most of which served as a detective with extensive and wide-ranging investigative skills including investigation of sexual offences, child protection, murder and serious organised crime related offences. I have experience of operating in East and West Africa, Caribbean, Europe, Asia, The Balkans. I am open to relocation.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Witness Protection Training officer
International Criminal Court
11.2015 - Current
- Sole responsibility for design, coordination and delivery of witness protection related subjects.
- Witness Protection subject matter expert.
- Child Protection practitioner/ Trainer.
- Design and delivery of United Kingdom National witness protection Course.
- Design and delivery of International Witness Protection Training.
- Developed and delivered training programs on international law and humanitarian principles.
- Facilitated workshops to enhance staff understanding of court procedures and protocols.
- Implemented innovative training methods utilizing e-learning platforms for remote accessibility.
- Deliver Risk Assessment trainer
- Conduct Risk assessment in complex cases in support of colleaguesd
Independent Contractor
01.2013 - 12.2014
- Independently contracted to United Kingdom Protected Persons Service (MOJ) to aid in development of National Protected Persons service.
- Independently contracted by NICO to conduct Training Needs Analysis and training delivery for the Winpro II project in the 7 Balkan countries.
- Independently contracted to Europol (The Hague) to design and deliver the Higher-Level Witness Protection Course (4 yrs.).
- Independently contracted to the International Criminal Courts (The Hague) to design and deliver witness protection training.
Specialist Practitioner-Trainer
NPIA Central Witness Bureau
01.2007 - 12.2013
- As an operational witness protection officer and accredited trainer, I was seconded to develop National and International standards and training programmes.
- Provision of advice and guidance to operational witness protection units throughout the UK in the planning and conduct of operations in conjunction with other agencies and authorities.
- Development and dissemination of national operating procedures and standards for management of protected persons in the UK.
- Development of operational procedures for international co-ordination in management of protected persons.
- Co-ordination of national and international agencies concerned in witness protection.
- Provision of advice and training in threat/risk assessment.
- Development of expertise in management of children within the realms of protected persons.
- National Policing Improvement Agency (now absorbed into the National Crime Agency)
- Coordinated communication between law enforcement agencies and legal teams to streamline information flow.
- Developed and implemented efficient case management processes for witness testimony preparation.
Witness Protection Officer
West Midland Police
01.2003 - 12.2007
- Responsible for all aspects of management of protected persons.
- Case management of protected persons operations, including risk assessment and implementation of risk management plans.
- Planning and conduct of relocations and identity changes, including those with international dimensions.
- Management of high-risk clients involved in criminality.
- Co-ordination of other agencies necessarily involved in witness protection cases.
- Representation of the force at national and international level at conferences/seminars.
- Conducted thorough investigations to gather evidence and support case development.
- Enforced safety protocols to ensure public protection and compliance with regulations.
Investigative skills trainer
West Midlands Police
01.2000 - 12.2003
- Responsible for design, planning and delivery of a wide range of investigative skills training to officers up to senior investigating officers (SIO’s) and staff in other agencies.
- Courses including; Covert Human Intelligence Source handling, Vulnerable and intimidated witness training, Advanced interview training, Child protection & sexual offences training, Family liaison officer training, Diversity training.
- Developed assessment tools to evaluate trainee progress and training program efficacy.
- Designed and delivered training programs for police personnel to enhance operational effectiveness.
Detective Constable
West Midlands Police
01.1987 - 12.2000
- Responsible for investigating serious organised crime, murder, sexual offences, child sexual abuse and protection investigations, trafficking of persons and honour-based crime.
- Responsibilities included gathering evidence for presentation to prosecutors and at court.
- Conduct fact-finding investigations, in both the UK and Internationally.
- Analysis and dissemination of data, intelligence.
- Conduct Risk Assessments
- West Midlands Police is the second largest police service in the UK and credited with many high profile cases.
- Received numerous police commendations.
- Conducted thorough investigations into criminal activities, gathering evidence and witness statements.
- Analyzed crime data to identify trends, contributing to targeted enforcement efforts and resource allocation.
- Interviewed suspects and witnesses, employing effective communication techniques to extract vital information.
- Prepared detailed case reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal standards for prosecution.
- Coordinated with forensic teams to process crime scenes, preserving evidence integrity for investigations.
- Mentored junior officers in investigative procedures, fostering skills development and knowledge sharing.
- Implemented operational improvements within the department, enhancing efficiency of case management processes.
- Wrote detailed reports outlining case findings for internal files and legal purposes.
- Investigated complaints brought by members of community by conducting interviews and compiling evidence.
- Kept meticulous and detailed records of each case to avoid causing any problems with prosecution.
- Preserved evidence for court hearings and checked integrity of individual pieces.
- Gathered facts from interviews of suspects, witnesses, and complainants.
- Delivered calm, professional testimony to support case evidence, establish timelines, and offer law enforcement expertise.
- Obtained and verified evidence by interviewing, observing, and conducting surveillance of suspects and records.
- Followed constitutional standards to properly obtain and execute warrants for arrests and searches.
- Identified witnesses and collected statements to gather information and pursue remedies for violations of legal standards.
- Marked off crime scenes and controlled access to protect evidence from tampering or loss.
- Conducted multi-scope research into suspects to determine criminal activities and suspect operating environments.
- Collected crime scene evidence, examined bodies, and investigated secondary locations to build detailed cases based on sound evidence handling practices.
- Sent specimens to labs and ran fingerprints through databases to identify individuals of interest.
- Assisted in the development of junior detectives through mentoring and providing guidance on investigative techniques.
- Participated in multi-agency task forces, leveraging shared resources to tackle high-profile or complex investigations.
- Worked closely with prosecutors throughout the investigative process, ensuring a strong foundation for successful convictions in court.
- Solved complex cases by utilizing analytical skills, critical thinking, and attention to detail.
- Collaborated closely with fellow officers, sharing information and resources to solve cases efficiently.
- Gathered crucial evidence by conducting thorough crime scene investigations and forensic analysis.
- Conducted undercover operations to gather intelligence on suspected criminals or criminal organizations, resulting in successful arrests and convictions.
- Guided, mentored, and supervised subordinates to improve job performance and case clearing rates.
- Followed chain of custody mandates to send individual items off for laboratory analysis and DNA testing.
- Ensured public safety during large-scale events by coordinating security measures with other law enforcement partners.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of legal developments and best practices in law enforcement through continuous training courses and professional development opportunities.
- Obtained and served search warrants related to ongoing cases.
- Participated in court hearings to provide written reports, evidence and verbal testimonies.
- Trained team members on agency processes, court procedures and investigation strategies.
- Initiated and concluded investigations of crime organizations.
- Oversaw criminal cases, coordinated investigations, and prepared evidence and investigators for court cases.
- Substantiated validity and admissibility of evidence and preserved data integrity for court hearings.
- Consulted and cooperated with legal staff to verify timely and efficient investigation completion.
Education
Certificate in Education -
Christchurch University
01.2008
National Police Training - undefined
West Midlands Police
01.1985
National Police Trainers Accreditation -
Harrogate Police Training College
01.1999
Community Race Relations Trainer - undefined
Harrogate Police Training College
01.1999
Advanced suspect and witness interview accreditation - undefined
01.2003
Masters Degree - On Going - Victimology
Portsmouth University
Portsmouth , United Kingdom09-2027
Skills
- Trained Risk Assessor
- Train-the-trainer
- Facilitation techniques
- Class design
- Lesson development
- Lesson planning
- Training delivery
- Employee mentoring
- Diversity and inclusion
- Adult learning theory
- Soft skills training
- Needs assessment
Websites
Accomplishments
- Dedicated WP trainer International Criminal Court
- Design and development of the UK protected persons learning program for UK law enforcement agencies
- Design and delivery of the International protected persons course in conjunction with Europol
- Lead trainer in the design and delivery of the CEPOL witness protection courses
- Representative of the UK at Europol conferences and seminars
- Short Term Expert NICO (WINPRO Balkans Project)
- Short term Expert UNODC (Establishment of Ethiopian WP)
- Witness Protection officer UK West Midlands Police
- Consultant expert (UNODC) Kenya Witness protection Agency – Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) 7& Training Curriculum
- Consultant expert – Truth Reconciliation & Reparations Commission (TRRC) – Witness Protection Training
- Certified Investigator – UK Police
- Qualified advanced investigative Interviewer
- Responsible for the return and reintegration of Guantanamo Bay Prisoner
- Tier 3 Advanced Investigative interviewer.
- Child protection Specialist
- Child Interview Specialist
- West Midlands Police trained sexual Offences officer.
- Family Liaison Officer
Languages
English
French
Timeline
Associate Witness Protection Training officer
International Criminal Court
11.2015 - Current
Independent Contractor
01.2013 - 12.2014
Specialist Practitioner-Trainer
NPIA Central Witness Bureau
01.2007 - 12.2013
Witness Protection Officer
West Midland Police
01.2003 - 12.2007
Investigative skills trainer
West Midlands Police
01.2000 - 12.2003
Detective Constable
West Midlands Police
01.1987 - 12.2000
National Police Training - undefined
West Midlands Police
Community Race Relations Trainer - undefined
Harrogate Police Training College
Advanced suspect and witness interview accreditation - undefined
Certificate in Education -
Christchurch University
National Police Trainers Accreditation -
Harrogate Police Training College
Masters Degree - On Going - Victimology
Portsmouth University
Ongoing Education
Masters degree in Victimology, Portsmouth University
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 9th March 1963
- Nationality: British
- Driving License: Full UK
- Availability: Open to relocation