Judicaële Ruby, counterterrorism specialist, appointed as chief of staff to the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes

Following Jean-Marie Girier’s arrival as prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes during the summer, a change occurs in the cabinet’s leadership. Judicaële Ruby will take up her duties in September 2026.

The prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes is experiencing a new change in its leadership. A few weeks after Jean-Marie Girier’s arrival as prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, Judicaële Ruby is appointed sub-prefect, director of the prefect’s office. The appointment was formalized by a decree from the President of the Republic dated August 26, 2026, on the proposal of the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Interior.

Judicaële Ruby will replace Aurélie Lebourgeois, who has been appointed secretary general of the Loiret prefecture and sub-prefect of Orléans. The new cabinet director will join the Alpes-Maritimes in September.

A career marked by counter-terrorism

Born on January 22, 1976 in Lyon, Judicaële Ruby holds a DEA in criminal law and criminal sciences. After successfully passing the police commissioner exam in August 2002, a nearly twenty-year career in the police force followed, before entering the prefectural service.

Judicaële Ruby started at the central directorate of judicial police in August 2002. Her career path first went through the terrorism suppression section. Deputy head of section until August 2005, the commissioner subsequently led this unit until July 2006. Her career continued as head of the national division for the suppression of separatist terrorism.

In March 2008, Judicaële Ruby joined the inter-regional directorate of judicial police in Lyon. She subsequently served as head of the criminal brigade and suppression of banditry until January 2013 before taking over the economic and financial division until June 2021.

In total, Judicaële Ruby devoted twenty years to the police, with missions to “solve investigations” and “track down criminals”.

This career path in counter-terrorism efforts comes at a time when the Alpes-Maritimes remain marked by the far too many terrorist attacks that have struck Nice over the past decade. The latest commemoration of the July 14, 2016 attack notably marked ten years since the Promenade des Anglais attack. A decade after the tragedy, the ceremonies again brought together victims, families, officials and residents around the memory of the 86 people killed.

From the police to the prefecture

The transition into the prefectural service occurred in August 2021. Judicaële Ruby was then appointed sub-prefect, director of the cabinet of the prefect of Loire. In September 2024, a new appointment came with her nomination as sub-prefect of Châtellerault, in the Vienne.

The start of September 2026 will thus mark a new stage in her career in the Alpes-Maritimes. At the head of the prefect’s office, Judicaële Ruby will bring experience built in the judicial police, counter-terrorism and prefectural administration.

This arrival comes in a context of renewal at the prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes, following the appointment of Jean-Marie Girier as prefect during the summer.