Joanna Maal, Temporary Assistant Chief Constable

South Wales Police

Joanna joined South Wales Police in 1995. She spent the first 14 years of her service gaining an invaluable amount of operational experience and knowledge across a variety of roles as a police and detective constable. During this time Joanna worked on the Criminal Investigations Department, National Crime Squad, Wales Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit and Investigative Training. Joanna was a National Surveillance Trainer.

Over the following 5 years Joanna worked in a variety of operational roles and ranks from Sergeant to Chief Inspector across the force area, working in frontline positions such as the Force Incident Manager and headquarters positions implementing a change management programme. In 2016 Joanna was promoted to Superintendent in Justice Services with responsibility for Custody and Criminal Justice. In 2018 Joanna was appointed as Superintendent Operations in Cardiff having responsibility for all aspects of operational policing within the capital city. In February 2019 she was promoted to Chief Superintendent becoming the first female BCU Commander of Swansea, Neath & Port Talbot.

Joanna was the first force lead for Operation Sceptre, instrumental in formulating and implementing the forces response to knife crime. Joanna was one of the first selected members of the Independent Ethics committee. Joanna is currently the force lead for substance misuse working in partnership with a number of agencies to tackle this issue. Joanna has been a tactical firearms commander and is currently a Strategic Firearms and CBRN Commander.

Joanna has a Master’s degree in Police Leadership and Management from Warwick University.

Joanna is married and having represented Wales in athletics in her youth she continues in her spare time keeping fit, running, playing hockey and skiing.

Joanna’s temporary promotion to Assistant Chief Constable with responsibility for Territorial Policing commenced on 9th November 2020.