A senior Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer who was involved in coordinating the tactical police response to the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 will face a misconduct meeting as a result of an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.
It follows a voluntary complaint referral from GMP on 2nd September 2021. The complaints were made to the force on 28th August 2021 by family members who sadly lost loved ones in the attack.
The complaints relate to the officer’s role and judgement during the response to the fatal attack.
The police watchdog concluded their investigation and sent their final report, with provisional opinions, to the force in February 2025.
GMP eventually responded in August 2025 and agreed with the IOPC’s opinion that the officer has a case to answer for misconduct for potential breaches of the police Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to integrity, duties and responsibilities, and discreditable conduct. GMP will now arrange for disciplinary proceedings to take place.
In May 2024, the officer was served with a formal notice that their conduct was under investigation. It was alleged 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 has also recommended that GMP makes an apology to the complainants for the shortcomings on the night of the attack at an appropriate time. This should also include an explanation of the steps the force has taken to prevent similar issues arising again in the future.
During the course of their investigation, the IOPC say that they reviewed a substantial amount of information relating to the incident, including evidence provided to the Manchester Arena Inquiry. Their investigators also analysed relevant policies, procedures and training and examined the actions of the officer.
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe said: “Our investigation follows the tragic incident on 22nd May 2017 when a bomb was detonated at the Manchester Arena in which 22 people sadly lost their lives. Our thoughts remain with all those affected– a tragedy that will forever have a profound impact right across Greater Manchester and beyond.
“It was vital for public confidence in policing that such matters were subject to thorough and independent scrutiny and our 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.”
Misconduct meetings are held in cases where an individual has a case to answer for misconduct and where they can receive a sanction ranging up to a final written warning. As set out in legislation, these proceedings are held in private, unlike misconduct hearings.
Unanswered questions remain:
- Why the subject officer has not been named.
- Why the lesser of two forms of disciplinary proceedings has been determined given what is in issue.
- Why did it take 3 years to conclude their investigation?
- Why did GMP take 5 months to respond to the IOPC report.
- What breaches of the Standards of Professional Behaviour will the misconduct meeting consider.
- Is the subject officer still serving and, if so, what is his duty status?
These questions have been put to the IOPC press office. Questions 4, 5 and 6 have also been put to the GMP press office.
Neil Wilby, the author of this article, says: “The Independent Office for Police Conduct, in its present form and in its predecessor incarnation as the IPCC, has too often been criticised for delays and missed opportunities in holding policing to account. Families who have already suffered unbearable loss deserve a regulator that demonstrates, much more visibly, a far greater sense of urgency and effectiveness.”
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Neil Wilby is a journalist, court reporter and transparency campaigner who has reported on police misconduct, regulatory failures, and criminal and civil justice since 2009. He is the founder and editor of Neil Wilby Media, launched in 2015.
Page last updated: Friday 19th September, 2025 at 10h10
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