A serving Manchester police officer has been sacked for sending “inappropriate messages” to a vulnerable woman.
After an accelerated Misconduct Hearing took place at Greater Manchester Police HQ earlier this week (19 September), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed that PC Robert Whitehead has now been dismissed.
The hearing heard how PC Whitehead exchanged the messages via WhatsApp on his work mobile back in November 2022 after creating a care plan for the woman – who had previously been reported missing – with hearing chair, Chief Constable Stephen Watson saying PC Whitehead was aware that the woman was vulnerable, but still “engaged in flirtatious messaging”.
The messaging then switched to his personal phone.
PC Whitehead subsequently asked the woman to delete all the messages and photos exchanged between them, but the woman threatened to inform GMP about the messages.
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She then proceeded to go through with reporting the exchange, and at this point, PC Whitehead was suspended.
Manchester police officer sacked for sending ‘inappropriate messages’ to vulnerable women / Credit: GMP
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) carried out an investigation into PC Whitehead’s conduct, following a referral from GMP, with the officer – who was based at Tameside – also being added to the College of Policing Barred List.
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CC Watson dismissed PC Whitehead without notice at the hearing this week, and found that his actions “breached the standards of integrity and professional behaviour”, with it all amounting to gross misconduct.
“Every day and night, officers from GMP put on their uniforms to protect the vulnerable people in our communities from harm,” commented Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Allen, of GMP’s Professional Standards Branch, on PC Whitehead’s dismissal.
“Whitehead failed in that very duty, seriously abusing his privileged position by communicating with a vulnerable female in a grossly improper way, thus exposing her to further harm.
“Having abused his position by departing from the highest standards of professional behaviour that all police officers must embody, it is right that he has been dismissed from the force and barred from ever working in policing again.
“He will no longer will be able to put on a uniform nor carry a warrant card, and GMP are a better police service without him.
“No one in GMP will tolerate working alongside someone who behaves in such a corrupt way.”
Manchester United’s statement in full as Michael Carrick is sacked as manager
Emily Sergeant
Manchester United has now released a formal statement following the news that Michael Carrick has been sacked with immediate effect.
Carrick – who initially played for Manchester United as a midfielder between 2006 and 2018 – was first appointed as a caretaker manager in 2021, before he went on to become the interim manager and then men’s first team head coach earlier this year.
Unfortunately though, United have struggled to find form this season – with the team winning only three of their first 15 games across all competitions.
The club’s statement reads in full: “Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach.
“Michael rejoined the club in January and guided the team to a third-placed Premier League finish by winning 12 out of the remaining 17 games of the 2025/26 season, accumulating the highest points tally in the league during that period.
“After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.
“Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.
“The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.”
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‘First-of-its-kind’ reward offered to help find Salford man who went missing 10 years ago
Emily Sergeant
A first-of-its-kind reward is being offered for information on the whereabouts of a Salford man who went missing 10 years ago.
Michael Martin, from Salford – who was 25 when he disappeared – was first reported missing on Monday 8 August 2016 and was last seen at a petrol station on Bolton Road in Kearsley at 7:30am on Sunday 7 August 2016, but since then, there have been no further reported sightings him.
Following immediate enquiries, detectives launched a murder investigation the following week, and the investigation then became what is known as a ‘no-body murder’.
Over the past decade, detectives have been working to try and bring Michael’s body back to his family so they can lay him to rest.
But now, a first-of-its-kind reward of £50,000 is being offered for any information.
Micheal Martin went missing in 2016 / Credit: GMP (Family Handout)
“The not-knowing is gut wrenching every day,” Micheal’s father, Greg Martin, said as he appealed to the public. “We know he’s dead but it’s just not knowing where he was, where he is and what happened to him. It’d give the family some closure – a form of sort of peace.
“My message to the people is to do the right thing. Tell someone or indirectly let the police know what happened to Michael so we can get some peace of mind and closure.”
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Superintendent Lewis Hughes, added: “We are appealing directly to help his family lay their loving son to rest. Michael’s family have not been able to bury their son to bring an element of closure to this heartbreaking tragedy.
“The reward we are offering has never been offered before and that is how much we want to bring Michael home. His family deserve to bring their boy home.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact GMP’s Major Incident Team via the dedicated Major Incident Public Portal here, or alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
21st September 2023 
