Ms Wilding dedicated her CBE to her colleagues

Ms Wilding said she had been lucky to work with officers who helped her to improve policing.

She also paid tribute to "wonderful" officers from South Wales Police.

Since becoming Wales' first woman chief constable in 2004, Ms Wilding has spoken out about domestic violence and curfews being the "last resort".

The former deputy assistant commissioner for the Metropolitan Police said her 37 years in the profession had seen her work with some "very committed people in policing".

This honour is recognition of everyone's contribution Chief Constable Barbara Wilding

"Without them I would never have been able to achieve the improvements in policing for the public," she said.

"I am very proud as a chief constable to lead the wonderful men and women of South Wales Police who work tirelessly to deliver a safe and secure Wales.

"This honour is recognition of everyone's contribution."

During her time at South Wales police, Ms Wilding has issued warnings that the Millennium Stadium and Cardiff could be terrorist targets.

When a curfew in the Splott area of Cardiff was established, she said such measures, to combat anti-social behaviour, should only be used as a last resort.

Virtual station

In addition, Ms Wilding spoke about the affects domestic abuse had on children at a national conference.

She has also overseen the opening of Britain's first virtual police station and a cutting-edge forensics unit.

Ms Wilding, who has two grown-up daughters, previously worked for the Metropolitan Police where she served as an operational detective throughout London and on specialist units in New Scotland Yard.

She became an assistant chief constable in Kent constabulary in 1994.

In 1998 she transferred back to the Metropolitan Police where she had operational responsibility for royalty and diplomatic protection.

The job also encompassed overseeing security at Heathrow Airport and Westminster just as the UK saw a rise in terror alerts.

Ms Wilding read criminology at the London School of Economics and was awarded the Queen's police medal in the Millennium awards in 2000 for distinguished service to policing.