Greater Manchester Police have this afternoon confirmed that eight police officers – including a Superintendent who has been suspended – and two staff members are under investigation by the force over what is described as ‘non legitimate contact’with sex workers
One officer and two staff members have been dismissed the force has also confirmed after the news broke earlier this afternoon
The sacked officer is understood to be Inspector Toby Knight who retired the day before a misconduct hearing where it was reported that he repeatedly contacted sex workers while on duty using his work mobile phone
The misconduct case revealed that he had contacted sex workers 245 times between September 2018 and February 2024 using his work phone.
It was further established that 165 of those calls occurred when Knight was on duty or booked onto a training course, and a further 11 when he was reported as being sick.
He was banned from ever working in the police service.
In a statement released this afternoon GMP said it is committed to working with partners to safeguard sex workers, including participation in the Manchester Sex Work Forum attended by Superintendent Nicola Williams, and deploying dedicated neighbourhood officers to build trust and provide protection in what is a vulnerable environment.
Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said: “The GMP of today is on a journey to uphold the highest standards our public deserve. The Chief and I have ensured we’ve been robust in reacting to concerns from both colleagues and the public by booting out officers and staff not fit to wear the uniform. However, we know that we must keep doing more to ensure the public can have continued confidence in their police force.
“A key part of this is the innovative and proactive approach from our Professional Standards Directorate to be front‑footed in rooting out unacceptable standards and behaviour. Investigations like this do cause concern and frustration for the public and policing colleagues alike, but I know our dedicated teams are determined to lead the way in tackling all forms of police corruption and no rank or role is immune from this.
“It is true that we are bound to reflect the society we serve – for good or for ill – as one of the largest employers in the North West but, frankly, our standards in policing are much higher. The vast, vast majority of our officers are professional, diligent and good people. While this investigation involves a very small minority of officers, our public rightly expects integrity, professionalism, and trust from every single person wearing our badge or working within our organisation.
“I know how much work our hardworking teams are doing to work with sex workers in Greater Manchester to keep them safe in what can be a very vulnerable environment. We therefore owe it to sex workers, our colleagues, and the wider public to ensure anyone found to be making inappropriate contact is dealt with, and we continue to uphold the highest of standards and behaviour.”
