Assistant Chief Constable Wendy Gunney

Wendy was appointed Assistant Chief Constable in January 2023, responsible for All-Wales Collaboration, Counter Terrorism Policing Wales and the Regional Organised Crime Unit, TARIAN.

Wendy started her police career in Thames Valley Police in 1997, posted to Milton Keynes. In 2001, Wendy transferred to South Wales Police and spent several years in different roles within Cardiff. In the early years of her policing, Wendy took the opportunity to become an air observer on the police helicopter – a career highlight.

Wendy qualified and achieved promotion to the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector whilst raising three children, and a balance with family life is very important to her.

In 2011, Wendy joined a leadership team responsible for merging seven contact centres into one. At the time, it was one of the biggest change programmes completed by South Wales Police.

Wendy has spent several years within intelligence, investigations, covert policing and serious organised crime, at both force and regional levels. In November 2015, Wendy was promoted to Detective Chief Inspector within TARIAN, and upon promotion to Detective Superintendent in September 2017, Wendy remained within the field of covert policing and investigations. She qualified as an Authorising Officer and Senior Investigating Officer for kidnap and extortion.

Wendy moved into an operational command role in Cardiff in February 2019 while taking over as force lead for knife crime and serious violence, delivering a force-wide response. Wendy is an accredited and experienced Strategic Firearms Commander, as well as being a Gold Public Order Commander.

In February 2020, she was appointed as Chief Superintendent and Commander for Cardiff and Vale BCU (Basic Command Unit), a challenging and demanding role. As a Cardiff resident, she had a personal connection and a passion for leading the area incorporating the capital city of Wales. She led the team through the Covid global pandemic and many large-scale organisational changes.

Wendy is a senior leader within policing, a wife and a mother to three children. She likes to travel with her family, with skiing holidays being a family favourite. She keeps active and enjoys many outdoor activities, particularly walking her two dogs, Bodhi and Otis.