PC honoured for services to policing and the football community

Police Constable Heidi Goldsack honoured for services to policing and the football community

Wales’ first female Operational Football Officer (OFO) has been awarded the King’s Police Medal for services to policing and the football community.

Despite having no personal interest in football PC Heidi Goldsack, who is currently seconded to the Euro 2028 planning team, volunteered to take on the OFO role 12 years ago and has since played a critical role in the safe policing of over 1,000 football matches across the UK and abroad.

This was exemplified during a high-stakes international fixture between Wales and England in 2016, where her early and personal engagement with fans helped defuse a volatile situation. Her handling of that event was formally recognised with a commendation from the UK Football Policing Unit and remains a prime example of effective, people-centred operational policing.

Heidi’s work is widely recognised as having raised the standard of football policing both in North Wales and nationally and her long-standing relationship with Wrexham AFC has created a culture of cooperation that is almost unprecedented, leading to her being considered a trusted partner rather than just a policing presence by the club.

Going beyond her operational duties, Heidi has also been a transformative figure in addressing the issue of violence against women and girls within the football context.

She created and delivered tailored training for Wrexham AFC staff, focusing on identifying harmful behaviours in crowds, equipping staff with the confidence to intervene, and addressing inappropriate conduct towards female staff members. This programme not only improved internal safeguarding standards but contributed to lasting cultural change within the football environment.

Heidi was for many years the only female OFO in Wales, but thanks to her influence there are now three other female OFOs.

Although Heidi is now stepping away from matchday operations to take up a strategic planning role in preparation for Euro 2028, the value of her contribution over more than a decade to this specific area of policing cannot be overstated.

Chief Constable 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.”