A watchdog has issued a raft of recommendations after “alleged misuse of counterfeit goods” by GMP officers. An investigation which began more than two years ago also concluded that two officers had a case to answer for gross misconduct after a small amount of cannabis involved in a seizure “could not be accounted for” but they have both kept their jobs and been given “management advice”.
As reported by the M.E.N, initially 23 officers were placed on restricted duties after the matter was first reported on November 15th 2019. Counterfeit clothing was allegedly worn by cops working covertly to blend in. The M.E.N understands that was one of the claims and that another element of the inquiry was that hooky clothing was donated to charities.
The force said today it accepted the findings of the investigation and that its policy regarding the seizing of counterfeit goods in 2019 was flawed. It said the issue had been “robustly” addressed.
The probe centred on the Cheetham Hill district. As a result of the investigation, staff were moved to different stations and not allowed to work with the public or use computers. The M.E.N. understands the action has had an initial impact on the operational capability of two teams within the City of Manchester North District – the Cheetham Hill and Crumpsall Neighbourhood Team and the Intelligence Development team.
The timing of the inquiry came as police in the Cheetham Hill district were tackling a ferocious gun war between two gangs. As a result officers from outside the area had to be drafted in to replace the 23.
Now the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has issued a series of recommendations to improve the way GMP officers handle property seized during the course of their work.
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