A senior police officer is to face disciplinary proceedings for allegedly failing to admit they did not have the experience to respond to the Manchester Arena bombing.
The officer, who has not been named, was involved in co-ordinating Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) tactical response to the suicide attack which killed 22 people on 22 May 2017.
Police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which investigated the officer, said GMP had agreed with its conclusion that the officer had a case to answer.
The officer is accused of misconduct only – rather than gross misconduct – meaning they would not face dismissal and instead could be sanctioned up to a final written warning.
The IOPC said it started investigating after the force voluntarily referred itself on 2 September 2021, following a complaint from family members of some of the victims of the attack relating to police decision making that night.
It said the officer was informed they were under investigation for alleged breaches of professional standards around integrity, duties and responsibilities, and discreditable conduct in May 2024.
The allegations include that the officer “failed to alert others that they were not sufficiently skilled, experienced or knowledgeable to be able to effectively fulfil the role of coordinating the police response”.
The IOPC also recommended that GMP make an apology to the families for its “shortcomings” on the night of the attack.
IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: “It was vital for public confidence in policing that such matters were subject to thorough and independent scrutiny and our independent investigation looked into a complaint regarding the actions and decision-making of a senior Greater Manchester Police officer on the night of the attack.
“It will now be for a police disciplinary panel to consider the evidence and reach a decision based on all the available information.”
The officer will face a private misconduct “meeting” – which is different to a public misconduct hearing – held in cases dealing with alleged gross misconduct.
Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said the outcome of the hearing would be made public.
He added: “I want to reiterate the Chief Constable’s unreserved apology made on behalf of GMP to the families following the public inquiry.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to ensure we do not repeat the inadequacies identified in the public inquiry.
“We have worked extensively in the years since to continue cementing the substantive improvements made as a result of the recommendations made.”
