Director of Legal Services
Mr Gareth Madge
Gareth was born and educated in the Swansea Valley and attended the University of Wales Cardiff where he obtained an honours degree in Law.
He began his legal career in 1977 when he joined T.R.Harris, Arnold & Co., Solicitors in Swansea as a trainee solicitor. Two years later he qualified as a solicitor and spent a year as an Assistant Solicitor at the firm, before becoming a Partner in 1980.
In 1986 Gareth joined South Wales Police as our Force Solicitor with responsibility for providing a comprehensive legal service to the Chief Constable and the Police Authority.
He was a member of the committee of the Association of Police Lawyers (which represents lawyers employed by police forces throughout the UK) from 1995 to 2009, during which time he served for six years as secretary and was the Chair from 2003 to 2007. His work with the Association gave him the opportunity to influence national issues and was involved with such bodies as ACPO, the Law Commission and the IPCC.
In 2006, Gareth became Director of Legal Services and a member of the Force’s Chief Officer Group in which he is involved in the strategic management of the force.
His portfolio involves overseeing the provision of legal advice and representation covering various business areas including:
- Civil Litigation
- Employment Law
- Contracts
- Conveyancing
- Operational Policing Powers (such as Antisocial Behaviour Orders and Sex Offenders Orders)
- Police Legislation and Regulations
Gareth also leads on legal issues for ACPO Cymru and is a member of the All Wales Police Collaboration Board.
Since 1st April 2010 Gareth has also had responsibility for legal issues in Gwent Police. The legal departments of the two forces were brought together from that date to form a Joint Legal Service providing a responsive and resilient legal resource to both forces.
Gareth believes that the creation of the Joint Legal Services between South Wales Police and Gwent Police is an exciting opportunity to enable lawyers to play their full part in supporting both forces to deliver the very best policing service to their respective communities.
Gareth as a fluent Welsh speaker is the Chief Officer ‘Champion’ for the Welsh Language in South Wales Police, and is committed to promoting the language’s use and status. He is regularly to be found assisting his Chief Officer colleagues with their learning!
Gareth is also a trustee of the South Wales Police Youth Trust which is a charity established by the force to help young people in its area and is fully committed to its work.
When he is not actively following Welsh Rugby, Gareth will be found pursuing his other interests of photography, military history and gardening.