Barbara Wilding
Encyclopedia
Barbara Wilding, CBE
, QPM
, CCMI, FRSA is the former Chief Constable
of South Wales Police
, the first woman to hold the post.
Wilding began her career as a cadet in 1967 and was named as constable in 1970. The following year she transferred to the Metropolitan Police
where she served as an operational detective at New Scotland Yard. Wilding was involved in the identification of victims from the sinking of the pleasure cruiser Marchioness
on the River Thames
in 1989.
She became an Assistant Chief Constable in Kent Constabulary in 1994. In 1998, she returned to the Metropolitan Police as Deputy Assistant Commissioner, and served as Director of Strategic Resources and also Specialist Operations, where she commanded the Security and Protection Directorate which included protection of Ministers, Royal Family, Special Branch, Heathrow Airport, covert intelligence and the specialist firearms unit.
Wilding was appointed Chief Constable of South Wales Police on 1 January 2004. Wilding was created a Commander of the British Empire (CBE)
on 17 June 2006.
She retired at the end of December 2009, replaced by Peter Vaughan
, retiring as Britain's longest-serving female chief constable. In 2011 she was appointed High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan
.
Wilding is married and has two daughters.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, QPM
Queen's Police Medal
The Queen's Police Medal is awarded to police officers in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for gallantry or distinguished service. Recipients may use the post-nominal letters "QPM", although the right to use these was only granted officially on 20 July 1969...
, CCMI, FRSA is the former Chief Constable
Chief Constable
Chief constable is the rank used by the chief police officer of every territorial police force in the United Kingdom except for the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police, as well as the chief officers of the three 'special' national police forces, the British Transport Police, Ministry...
of South Wales Police
South Wales Police
South Wales Police is one of the four territorial police forces in Wales. Its headquarters are based in Bridgend.Covering Wales' capital city, Cardiff, as well as Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, Swansea, and the western South Wales Valleys, it is the largest police force in Wales in terms of population,...
, the first woman to hold the post.
Wilding began her career as a cadet in 1967 and was named as constable in 1970. The following year she transferred to the Metropolitan Police
Metropolitan police
Metropolitan Police is a generic title for the municipal police force for a major metropolitan area, and it may be part of the official title of the force...
where she served as an operational detective at New Scotland Yard. Wilding was involved in the identification of victims from the sinking of the pleasure cruiser Marchioness
Marchioness disaster
The Marchioness disaster occurred on the River Thames in London in the early hours of 20 August 1989. The pleasure boat Marchioness sank after being run down by the dredger Bowbelle, near Cannon Street Railway Bridge. There were 131 people on the Marchioness. Some were members of the crew, some...
on the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
in 1989.
She became an Assistant Chief Constable in Kent Constabulary in 1994. In 1998, she returned to the Metropolitan Police as Deputy Assistant Commissioner, and served as Director of Strategic Resources and also Specialist Operations, where she commanded the Security and Protection Directorate which included protection of Ministers, Royal Family, Special Branch, Heathrow Airport, covert intelligence and the specialist firearms unit.
Wilding was appointed Chief Constable of South Wales Police on 1 January 2004. Wilding was created a Commander of the British Empire (CBE)
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
on 17 June 2006.
She retired at the end of December 2009, replaced by Peter Vaughan
Peter Vaughan (police officer)
Peter Vaughan is the Chief Constable of South Wales Police.Born in Aberfan, South Wales, Vaughan gained a first class Bachelor of Science degree in Management Science and Operations Research from the University of Wales, Swansea....
, retiring as Britain's longest-serving female chief constable. In 2011 she was appointed High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan
High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan
The office of High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan was established in 1974 as part of the creation of the county of Mid Glamorgan in Wales following the Local Government Act 1972, and, together with the High Sheriff of West Glamorgan and the High Sheriff of South Glamorgan, effectively replaced the office...
.
Wilding is married and has two daughters.