Following the publication of data highlighting progress in tackling police-perpetrated violence against women and girls, Greater Manchester Police is reiterating the promise to ensure those who are entrusted with the privilege of keeping people safe and caring for victims are fit to do so.
In the 12 months to December 2022, GMP more than doubled dismissals for sexual offences or misconduct.
Owing to growing trust and confidence resulting in increased reporting and a strengthened Professional Standards Branch overseen by a newly appointed Detective Chief Superintendent, complaints and allegations rose slightly in the six months to February 2023 – with GMP recording 117 complaints and misconduct allegations relating to violence against women and girls, made up of 156 allegations against 141 employees – equating to 1% of the workforce.
In the six months to March 2022, the force recorded 108 complaints and alleged misconduct cases (accounting for 9.1% nationally), made up of 126 allegations against 143 employees – equating to 1.2% of the workforce.
Head of GMP’s Professional Standards Branch, Chief Superintendent Mike Allen said: “Greater Manchester Police is taking ever-increasing steps to ensure police officers and staff do not pose any risk of threat or harm to those they come in to contact with.
“The Force Vetting Unit plays an essential role in ensuring only the right people wear the GMP uniform, and the branch’s Assessment and Investigation teams work together to respond to reports, whilst the Anti-Corruption Unit proactively gathers intelligence about any employees whose behaviour falls below the high standard rightly expected of police.
“With the help of the Misconduct Proceedings Unit, GMP is a force which now imposes the toughest possible sanctions on those, like Simon Rose and Ernesto Ceraldi both jailed and sacked, whose actions so badly damage vital public trust and confidence in policing.”
Chief Superintendent Nicky Porter, force lead for tackling violence against women and girls, said: “It is absolutely imperative that women and girls feel safe whenever they come in to contact with the very people who are entrusted with the privilege of caring for victims – police officers and members of police staff.
“With a strategy in place, Greater Manchester Police is taking strides in the right direction, but there is more hard work to be done.
“With my oversight, I promise that we will continue to do everything we can to ensure women and girls feel and are safe. That being said, it’s important victims come forward – I understand how hard that can be but can assure them that any allegations will be taken seriously and they will be fully supported.”
Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, said: “Sadly, we live in a world where women and girls can too often feel unsafe as they go about their daily lives, but the very least we need to do is ensure they can trust the very people who are employed to keep them safe.
“I’ve been appalled and disgusted to hear of some of the offences committed by police officers against women and girls across the country and in my first few weeks as Deputy Mayor I asked Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to provide a report detailing all officers under investigation for sexual misconduct, so I knew the scale of the issue locally. If we have police officers committing offences like this, we risk women and girls losing faith in the force altogether and we cannot allow this to happen.
“The Chief Constable treats this matter with the utmost seriousness, and GMP are imposing the toughest punishments possible on those found guilty of these offences. Alongside this, GMP’s vetting unit will play an integral role in ensuring police officers recruited are fit to protect the public.”
