A Greater Manchester police inspector, Toby Knight, who made several calls to sex workers using a departmental mobile phone over a six-year period, often during work hours, has been prohibited from serving in law enforcement.
Greater Manchester Police said that Toby Knight resigned from the force on Wednesday, the day prior to his scheduled appearance before a disciplinary panel.
The panel determined that Insp Knight would have been terminated had he not resigned.
Amanda Rowe, director of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), stated: “Inspector Toby Knight’s actions are exacerbated by the extensive and prolonged nature of the communication.”
The IOPC stated that Toby Knight, with 17 years of service, was determined to have “violated the Standards of Professional Behaviour regarding authority, respect and courtesy, discreditable conduct, honesty and integrity, as well as orders and instructions”.
This follows an investigation of Knight by the anti-corruption unit of Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Detective Superintendent Simon Hurst of the GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate stated that the force is dedicated to investigating officers such as Toby Knight who “fail to meet the high standards and expectations we uphold.”
He stated that Toby Knight had been adjudicated guilty of gross misconduct at the hearing.
He was arrested on 2 April 2024 and accepted during questioning he had contacted sex workers while on duty.
A review of his work mobile phone calls identified adult sex workers were contacted 245 times between September 2018 and March 2024, with 176 calls taking place while he was working.
In addition, a study of his personal mobile phone showed 357 communications with sex workers between May 2023 and April 2024 – 259 outgoing and 98 incoming.
Investigators matched numbers on adverts for sex workers to those Toby Knight had called.
They also spoke with sex workers contacted by Knight who confirmed text exchanges with him.
Ms Rowe also said: “Cases such as these have the real potential to impact on public confidence in the police.”
Det Supt Hurst said: “Toby Knight will also be placed on the Policing Barred List so as to ensure he doesn’t work in law enforcement again.”
Let’s hope the IOPC and GMP can devote some time to finding the child molesters and rapists within their ranks!
BACK IN 2007 GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE COULD HAVE SACKED TOBY KNIGHT BUT INSTEAD THEY LET HIM STAY ON, JUST DEMOTING HIM, AND THENPROMOTED HIM TO INSPECTOR, HAPPY DAYS FOR HIM BUT NOT FOR ANY FEMALE OFFICER THAT CAME ACROSS HIS PATH. GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
A police sergeant has been charged with handcuffing a female colleague to a stairway at a station. Sgt Toby Knight is currently the subject of a misconduct and bullying investigation by the internal affairs division of Greater Manchester Police.
A police sergeant has been charged with handcuffing a female colleague to a stairway at a station.
Sgt Toby Knight is currently the subject of a misconduct and bullying investigation by the internal affairs division of Greater Manchester Police. Both officers belong to the force’s distinguished Tactical Aid Unit.
The incident occurred while a team of officers was at Claytonbrook police station in Openshaw. Sgt. Knight is charged with handcuffing a female police officer to the stairway following an altercation between them.
She remained there until another police officer liberated her and a different sergeant arrived at the site. The female officer experienced erythema on her wrists.
A Greater Manchester MP is believed to have been observing the unit throughout the incident but did not witness the purported handcuffing.
Sgt Knight has been assigned to restricted duties at a different station. The esteemed female officer lodged a complaint, prompting the internal affairs section of GMP to initiate an investigation. They are reportedly treating the claim with utmost seriousness.
A GMP spokeswoman LAUGHABLY said: “Greater Manchester Police’s Internal Affairs Branch is investigating an allegation of misconduct following an incident at the Claytonbrook complex. A female police officer made an allegation of bullying against a male police officer.
“He has been placed on restricted duties at a different police station pending the outcome of the investigation. Greater Manchester Police will not tolerate bullying within the force and takes all reports of this nature extremely seriously. Any allegations of bullying are investigated thoroughly.”
The Tactical Aid Unit perform “core tasks” such as searching properties during raids.
They are trained to deal with violent situations such as riots.
DEMOTED IN 2007
A police officer charged with handcuffing a female officer to a stairway at a station has been demoted.
Toby Knight was demoted from sergeant to constable following a disciplinary hearing on allegations of abusing a colleague, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.
Disseminate
A police officer charged of restraining a female officer to a stairwell at a station has been demoted.
Toby Knight was demoted from sergeant to constable following a disciplinary hearing on allegations of abusing a colleague, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.
A disciplinary investigation commenced in October of the previous year following allegations of misbehaviour and bullying against the officer. The internal affairs division of Greater Manchester Police conducted an investigation on the allegations.
He was charged with restraining a female colleague to a stairway at Claytonbrook police station in Openshaw after an altercation between them.
Both officers were concurrently employed by the force’s distinguished Tactical Aid Unit.
The Tactical Aid Unit performs “core tasks” such as searching properties during raids. Members are trained to deal with violent situations such as riots.
Following her handcuffing, the humiliated officer was left tied to the staircase for a time until another officer freed her and a different sergeant arrived on the scene.
The officer allegedly suffered reddening to her wrists.
It is thought that a Greater Manchester MP was shadowing the unit at the time of the incident but did not see the alleged handcuffing.
Sgt Knight was placed on restricted duties at another station while the case was investigated.
The woman officer, who is “highly regarded”, complained and the GMP’s internal affairs department launched an inquiry while force bosses insisted they would not tolerate bullying.
The officer’s punishment was confirmed at the conclusion of his disciplinary hearing at GMP’s Chester House HQ.
Last night a spokesman for GMP confirmed: “Following a misconduct hearing, an officer has been demoted one rank to police constable.”
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