South Wales Police is the largest police force in Wales serving 46% of the Welsh population including the cities of Cardiff and Swansea.

Barbara passionately believes that the police service has a major influence on the prosperity of Wales – only when the police, alongside its partners, create an environment that is safe and secure will investment in Wales become a reality. Taking up her post in January, 2004, she set out her vision for the force based on leadership, community, partnership and change. She assessed the overall policing service being delivered as a B+ and set about achieving an A*. She introduced a development plan that will better equip the force to deal with the demands of 21st century policing. She places a strong focus on developing leadership at all levels. Recognising both current and future restrictions on public sector finance, she has worked to increase both capacity and capability with partners. Above all she has made improving customer service a priority. She is overseeing internal and external projects that will see the introduction of new technology to speed up the amount of time officers spend on administration and she has strengthened partnerships with the public, private and voluntary sectors. She has introduced a police presence to retail areas and last year crime fell by 9.4% resulting in 12,951 fewer victims of crime compared with the year before. Barbara has been working with Cardiff and Glamorgan Universities to create the first Universities Police Science Institute in the UK. Barbara is described by colleagues as energetic, focused, influential and inspiring.