North Wales Police officer awarded King’s Police Medal for football policing work
A North Wales Police officer who became Wales’ first female football policing officer has been awarded the King’s Police Medal.
PC Heidi Goldsack received the honour for services to policing and the football community.
She volunteered to take on the Operational Football Officer role 12 years ago, despite having no personal interest in football, and the force said she has since played a part in the safe policing of more than 1,000 matches in the UK and abroad.
North Wales Police said her early engagement with fans at a Wales and England fixture in 2016 helped defuse a volatile situation, and her handling of the match was recognised with a commendation from the UK Football Policing Unit.
The force said her long-standing relationship with Wrexham AFC has built a culture of cooperation, with the club treating her as a trusted partner rather than just a policing presence.
She also created and delivered training for Wrexham AFC staff on identifying harmful behaviour in crowds and addressing inappropriate conduct towards female staff members.
For many years she was the only female Operational Football Officer in Wales, but there are now three others in the role.
She is now stepping away from matchday operations and is seconded to the team planning the policing of Euro 2028, which is being hosted by the UK and Ireland.
Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman said: “This is a truly well-deserved honour for Heidi, and I’m absolutely delighted to see her recognised in this way.”
“Over many years she has shown real dedication, professionalism and care in everything she does, making a lasting difference to colleagues, communities and the people she serves.”
“She approaches policing with warmth, integrity and quiet determination, and she has helped set the standard for others to follow. Heidi should be enormously proud of this achievement – we certainly are.”
PC Goldsack said: “I am honoured and humbled to have been awarded the King’s Police Medal.”
“Working as an OFO has allowed me to make a difference to policing in the football environment and I have been fortunate to work alongside some great people both in policing and in other related organisations.”
“I am extremely grateful to have been nominated, and I hope that my experience will inspire women and young girls to think about a career in policing.”
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