Barbara Wilding, CBE, QPM, CCMI, FRSA, Chief Constable South Wales Police 2004 - 2009

Miss Wilding joined the Jersey States Police as a cadet in 1967 and was attested as a constable in 1970. In 1971, she transferred to the Metropolitan Police. She became an Assistant Chief Constable in Kent Constabulary in 1994.

In 1998, she transferred to the Metropolitan Police as Deputy Assistant Commissioner serving as Director of Strategic Resources and Specialist Operations.

Miss Wilding was appointed Chief Constable of South Wales Police on 1st January 2004 holding this position as the UK's longest serving female Chief Constable until her retirement on 31st December 2009.

Miss Wilding is a Co-Director for the Police National Assessment Centre for senior command. She chairs the ACPO Acquisitive Crime Committee and is a member of the ACPO Terrorism and Allied Matters Committee. She also oversees a National Mentoring Scheme for women Superintendents.

Miss Wilding read criminology at London University and is Honorary Fellow of Cardiff University. She was decorated with the Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished service to policing. Miss Wilding was also awarded Commander of the British Empire medal for her services to policing.

Her term was characterised by Government funding issues and as the force's budget was reduced she took the controversial decision to cease patrols on the M4 Motorway to cut costs. Her decision was described by her as "In relation to the M4, as our finances get more and more reduced, there are things you have to say we have to stop doing, the things we are not mandated to do under legislation, and that was one of them."