▲ 개청 역사상 '첫 여성 치안감'으로 지휘봉을 잡은 임병숙(치안감) 제35대 전북경찰청장이 정년 1년을 앞둔 가운데 임기를 채우지 못하고 8일 청사 5층 소통마당에서 37년 동안 입었던 정든 제복을 벗는 명예 퇴임식에서 "이제 한 사람의 시민으로 돌아가 전북경찰의 활약을 기대하며 언제나 여러분을 응원하겠다"는 심경을 밝히고 있다. / 사진제공 = 전북경찰청   © 김현종 기자

개청 역사상 '첫 여성 치안감'으로 지휘봉을 잡은 임병숙(치안감) 제35대 전북경찰청장이 정년 1년을 앞둔 가운데 임기를 채우지 못하고 8일 37년 동안 입었던 정든 제복을 벗고 명예 퇴임했다.

이날 청사 5층 소통마당에서 진행된 퇴임식은 가족과 직원 80여 명이 참석한 가운데 열렸다.

임 청장은 이 자리에서 퇴임사를 통해 "지난해 가을, 희망과 설렘을 안고 전북청사에 첫발을 디딘 지가 엊그제 같은데 벌써 만남을 마무리하게 됐다"고 회상했다.

그러면서 "결코 쉽지 않은 여정이었지만, 도민 여러분들이 보내준 성원과 격려ㆍ하나의 오케스트라처럼 각자의 자리에서 자신에게 주어진 부분에 최선을 다해준 전북경찰 여러분들이 있었기에 175만 도민의 안전을 지키는 전북치안의 책임자로서 주어진 책무를 흔들림 없이 완수할 수 있었다"고 밝혔다.

아울러 "전북경찰 일원으로 함께한 9개월 동안 여러분께서 주신 사랑과 은혜를 가슴 깊이 간직하겠다"며 "이제 한 사람의 시민으로 돌아가 전북경찰의 활약을 기대하며 언제나 여러분을 응원하겠다"는 심경을 덧붙였다.

임병숙 치안감은 서울 출신으로 한양여고ㆍ동국대 국사교육과ㆍ경희대 국제법무대학원을 졸업했으며 1987년 순경 공채 출신으로 첫발을 내딛었다.

이후 서울청 수사과 금융정보분석원ㆍ관악경찰서 등 5개 경찰서 수사과장 및 양천경찰서 형사과장ㆍ인천경찰청 제2부 112종합상황실장ㆍ가평경찰서장ㆍ서울지방경찰청 여성청소년과장ㆍ서울경찰청 광진경찰서장ㆍ경찰청 수사인권담당관ㆍ인천경찰청 수사심사담당관ㆍ광주경찰청 수사부장 등을 역임했다.

형사 및 금융 분야 수사 베테랑인 임 청장은 2021년 12월 '경찰의 별'인 경무관으로 승진했으며 2023년 9월 경찰 서열 3번째 계급인 치안감으로 영전해 전북경찰청장으로 취임했다.

임 청장은 재임 기간인 지난 5월 도내 한 대학교 축제장에서 이른바 말춤을 춰 논란을 빚은 바 있다.

한편, 임 청장의 명예 퇴임으로 수장 공백 상태를 맞은 전북경찰청은 김영근(경무관) 공공안전부장이 직무대행을 맡는다.

☞ 아래는 위 기사를 구글 번역이 번역한 영문 기사의 '전문' 입니다.

구글 번역은 이해도를 높이기 위해 노력하고 있으며 영문 번역에 오류가 있음을 전제로 합니다.

【Below is the 'full text' of the English article translated by Google Translate.

Google Translate is working hard to improve understanding, and assumes that there are errors in the English translation.】

Lim Byeong-sook, Jeonbuk Police Agency chief, retires with 'honor'

The first female Chief of Police in the history of the opening of the agency… I took off my beloved uniform!

Reporter Kim Hyun-jong

The 35th Chief of the Jeonbuk Police Agency, Lim Byeong-sook(Chief of Police), who took the helm as the 'first female Chief of Police' in the history of the opening of the agency, failed to complete her term of office with one year to go before retirement age, and took off the honorable uniform she had worn for 37 years on the 8th.

On this day, the retirement ceremony was held in the communication center on the 5th floor of the government building with about 80 family members and employees in attendance.

In his retirement address, Commissioner Lim recalled, "It feels like only yesterday that I first set foot in the Jeonbuk Government Complex last fall with hope and excitement, but the meeting has already come to an end."

He said, "It was by no means an easy journey, but thanks to the support and encouragement from the residents of the province and the Jeonbuk police officers who did their best in their respective positions like an orchestra, I was able to become the person in charge of Jeonbuk public security who protects the safety of 1.75 million residents." "I was able to complete the assigned responsibilities without hesitation," he said.

In addition, he added, "I will deeply cherish in my heart the love and grace you gave me during the nine months I spent as a member of the Jeonbuk Police. Now, I will return to being a citizen and look forward to the performance of the Jeonbuk Police and will always support you."

Superintendent Lim Byeong-sook is from Seoul and graduated from Hanyang Girls' High School, Dongguk University's Department of Korean History Education, and Kyung Hee University's Graduate School of International Law. He took his first step as a police officer in 1987.

Afterwards, he was the head of the investigation department of five police stations, including the Seoul National Police Agency's Investigation Department, Financial Intelligence Unit, and Gwanak Police Station, as well as the head of the criminal division at Yangcheon Police Station, the head of the Incheon Police Agency's 2nd Division 112 Comprehensive Situation Room, the head of the Gapyeong Police Station, the head of the Women and Youth Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Gwangjin Police Station, and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Investigation and Human Rights. He served as an officer in charge, an investigation and review officer at the Incheon Police Agency, and the head of the investigation department at the Gwangju Police Agency.

Commissioner Lim, a veteran of investigations in the criminal and financial fields, was promoted to police officer, the 'star of the police', in December 2021, and in September 2023, he was promoted to police inspector, the third rank in the police hierarchy, and was inaugurated as the Jeonbuk Police Agency Chief.

During his tenure, Commissioner Lim caused controversy by performing a so-called horse dance at a university festival in the province last May.

Meanwhile, the Jeonbuk Police Agency, which is facing a leadership vacancy due to Commissioner Lim's honorable retirement, will take on the acting duties of Public Safety Director Kim Young-geun(Police Officer).