GMP’s Anti-Corruption Unit authorised to charge two men, including one suspended police officer

Andrew Talbot (14/06/70), who was posted to GMP’s Serious Crime Division, has been charged with two counts of possessing Class A drugs, possessing ammunition, failure to comply with a S.49 RIPA notice, theft, intent to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, three counts of misconduct in public office, and three counts of accessing police systems without authority.

He is suspended from duty.

Keith Bretherton (22/06/74) of Wigan has been charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, possessing Class A drugs, and possessing Class B drugs.

They will appear at Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrates Court on Thursday 21 September 2023.

The allegations relate to incidents between 2017 and 2021. GMP’s Anti-Corruption Unit became aware in February 2020 and arrested Talbot in the same month. Bretherton was arrested in June 2021. The suspects were charged earlier this month, upon receipt of authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service.