Chief Superintendent Mark Mathias, the Divisional Police Commander for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the New Years Honours List 2012.

Mark Mathias started life in South Wales Police in 1980 as a Police Cadet enrolling to become a full Constable, working in the Swansea area, in 1982. He progressed on to become a Sergeant, Inspector and finally a Chief Inspector in 1997.  Mark then transferred to Police Headquarters on promotion as  a Superintendent in 2002.  He rose to the rank of Chief Superintendent and posted to Swansea Division, a role which was later expanded to cover the political boundaries of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot .

It was evident from his very early career that Mark was destined to bigger and better things within the Police Service. He spent most of this time as a detective responsible for investigating some of the key cases in the area. He also spent some of his career as the person responsible for change management at Police Headquarters whilst he was a Superintendent. During his time at Police Headquarters, he became responsible for changes that were brought about to streamline the communications set-up that South Wales Police currently use. Mark is very much noted for his no-nonsense practical attitude to some of the key crime and disorder  issues facing the Swansea Bay area.

Swansea Bay REC’s Chief Executive, Mr Taha Idris, OBE, JP, who has known Mark since his days as a Detective in Swansea complemented him for having been awarded the honours.  He said, “the QPM could not have gone to a more deserving serving Senior Police Officer than Mark. I am pleased for him as he has served our communities so well during his four years of being at the helm of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot Police under some of the most difficult circumstances faced by the Police Service”.

The Leader of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Cllr Ally Thomas and Cllr Mary Jones of City and County of Swansea received framed pictures depicting the Swansea Bay area to thank them for the respective Council’s support for the Swansea Bay REC (SBREC) over the last year. These pictures were part of the photographic  work of Mr Taha Idris, OBE, JP, the Chief Executive of SBREC .

The gifts were presented by the organisation’s Chair, Mrs Angella Gullam at SBREC’s annual dinner which is held in December of each year. This year the Annual Dinner was held in a Neath restaurant, The Plaza Indian Cuisine, which won the ‘Best Curry Awards’ two years ago. Said Mrs Gullam, “We like to thank everyone who has helped us to achieve our goals during the year in allowing SBREC to tackle a whole host of equality, diversity and discrimination issues. We are grateful for all the help and support that the two local authorities had provided to us even in an extremely challenging financial atmosphere”.

Attendees to the annual dinner include members of staff and members of the Executive Committee. This year the invited guests included some key figures from society including the Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress of Neath Port Talbot, Cllr Jeff Dinham and Mrs Brenda Dinham along with the Leader of the Council Cllr Ally Thomas. There was also representation from the Police by Superintendent Joe Ruddy and the Clerk of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot Magistrates, Jim Hehir Esq.

An award was also presented to an SBREC employee who, it was felt, had contributed most to the efficient running of the organisation over the year. Abu Miah was singled out for this accolade. He received a cheque which was presented by the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jeff Dinham. Abu had not expected this and his excitement and appreciation showed when he was asked how he felt about it. Abu had this to say, “Wow, never in a million years would I have believed when the award was being announced that my name would be called out to come and receive it. I feel so humbled.”