Statement regarding Custody Detention Officer being arrested

We arrested a GMP Custody Detention Officer based at Bolton Police Station on Sunday 14 July 2024 on suspicion of sexual touching, misconduct in a public office, and cyberflashing.

This staff member has been suspended from the force, and the alleged conduct has been referred to the IOPC. 

This comes following a complaint made to our Professional Standards Directorate last month, as to alleged sexual misconduct which began the previous month.

We have seized CCTV footage from the police custody suite and secured other digital material. Our detectives are currently in the process of obtaining full accounts from all relevant parties.

An internal review has been undertaken into how the complaint was initially handled and we are making a voluntary referral to the IOPC as to the decisions and speed of action taken in response to the allegation made.

We have engaged with the complainant and offered her specialist support.

We understand this comes in the week where Dame Vera Baird’s report into the treatment of people in our custody will be published. We continue to make improvements to ensure women and girls have confidence in the way they are treated by police, but there is no place in GMP for those who fall short of the exemplary standards of behaviour that the public so rightly deserve.