Michael J. Todd

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Michael J. Todd QPM

Born August 10, 1957(1957-08-10)
Essex, England
Died 11 March 2008 (aged 50)
Bwlch Glas, Snowdon, Wales
Occupation Chief Constable
Employers Greater Manchester Police
For other persons of the same name, see Michael Todd.

Michael J. Todd QPM (August 10, 1957 — March 11, 2008),[1] was Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police from 2002 until his death.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Todd grew up in Essex where he attended the Billericay School and later attended the University of Essex.[2] He graduated with a first class honours degree in government in 1989 and a masters degree in politics in 1994.[3][4] The university named him the alumnus of the year in 2003 for his contributions to policing and the community.[5] He joined Essex Police in 1976, and the Metropolitan Police on a management exchange program, rising to the position of Assistant Commissioner. Todd then became Assistant Chief Constable in Nottinghamshire, before becoming the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police from 2002. In 2006 he became a vice president of ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers), a post he held until his death.

[edit] Investigation of CIA extraordinary rendition flights

Todd investigated on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers the extraordinary rendition flights conducted by the CIA to transport detainees;[6] he found that the United Kingdom did not allow CIA flights to use British airports to take those they suspect of terrorism out of Europe. The United States has since admitted that flights did use the military airfield on the British Overseas Territory of Diego Garcia,[7] a possibility not investigated by Todd.

[edit] Taser demonstration

Todd allowed himself to be hit by a Taser in 2005 to demonstrate that the stun guns were safe; This was an effort to have them more widely issued to police officers. "I couldn't move, it hurt like hell," he said after recovering. "I wouldn't want to do that again." [8]

[edit] Personal life

Married with three children, twin boys and a daughter, his social interests included mountain biking, computer games and reading, particularly military and political biographies.[9]

[edit] Death

After a report from Greater Manchester Police, rescue teams from Llanberis, North Wales, started the search at 01:00 on 11 March 2008. After being alerted by hill walkers who found personal possessions, Todd's body was found in the Bwlch Glas area of Snowdon.[10] The post-mortem report has initially found "no obvious cause" of death.[11]

After his death, Manchester Chamber of Commerce issued a statement supporting Chief Executive Angie Robinson, following reports that she had been having an affair with Todd. Todd's widow Carolyn paid tribute to "a caring and loving father and husband."[12]

The inquest into his death was opened and adjourned on 13 March 2008.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Michael Todd: The Times obituary. The Times. London. 12 March 2008
  2. ^ UPDATE: Tributes to Chief Constable. Retrieved on 2008-03-16.
  3. ^ "Profile: Mike Todd", BBC News, 2008-03-11. Retrieved on 2008-03-11. 
  4. ^ Fahey, John. "Michael Todd: profile", The Independent, 2008-03-11. Retrieved on 2008-03-11. 
  5. ^ University of Essex Alumni Website. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
  6. ^ "Police deny 'extraordinary rendition' flights", Telegraph, 2007-06-10. Retrieved on 2008-03-12. 
  7. ^ "Rice apologizes to Britain over renditions", finalcall, 2008-03-11. Retrieved on 2008-03-12. 
  8. ^ Chief constable hit by Taser gun. BBC News. 5 July 2005
  9. ^ Yeoman, Fran. "Manchester police chief found dead at bottom of cliff", Times Online, 2008-03-11. Retrieved on 2008-03-11. 
  10. ^ "Top UK police chief is found dead", BBC, 2008-03-11. Retrieved on 2008-03-10. 
  11. ^ No 'Obvious Cause' Of Top Cop's Death (HTML). Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
  12. ^ BBC NEWS | England | Manchester | Todd inquest hears of drink level

[edit] External links

Police appointments
Preceded by
First incumbent		 Metropolitan Police Service
Assistant Commissioner (Policy, Review and Standards)
2000–2001		 Succeeded by
Tarique Ghaffur
Preceded by
Ian Johnston		 Metropolitan Police Service
Assistant Commissioner (Territorial Policing)
2001–2003		 Succeeded by
Tim Godwin
Preceded by
David Wilmott		 Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police
2002–2008		 Succeeded by
David Whatton Acting Chief Constable/Deputy Chief Constable
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