Simon Rose

Simon Rose, a 48-year-old police officer with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), has been jailed for three years after being found guilty of misconduct in public office and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Rose, who had served with GMP since 2007, was specially trained to deal with rape and sexual assault allegations. In May 2012, he met a vulnerable woman as part of his professional duties while investigating her rape report.

The court heard that Rose took advantage of the woman's vulnerability, initiating a secret sexual relationship with her just a few months after their first meeting. This illicit relationship continued for several years, concealed from authorities and colleagues. It only came to light in October 2019 when police conducted a search of the woman's home for unrelated firearms. During the search, evidence of the relationship surfaced, prompting an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

At Liverpool Crown Court, Judge David Swinnerton described Rose as a 'predatory' officer who had exploited a 'vulnerable victim'. The judge emphasised the damage caused to public trust in policing, stating: 'Police officers behaving like you did damages trust in the whole police service and it is to the detriment of every single police officer and society as a whole.' He further noted that victims of sexual abuse already face immense pressure when reporting crimes, and it is 'wholly unacceptable' if they risk being targeted by predatory officers like Rose.

Rose's attempts to cover up the relationship were exposed during the trial in January 2022. The court learned that he had asked colleagues to ignore any incriminating findings during the 2019 search, motivated by a desire to hide his 'own shameful secret', as accepted by Judge Swinnerton. The IOPC's regional director, Amanda Rowe, commented after the hearing: 'Rose took advantage of a woman he knew to be vulnerable and his actions have absolutely no place in policing. His subsequent efforts to cover up his behaviour show he knew what he had done was unacceptable.'

GMP Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods affirmed the force's commitment to accountability, stating: 'It is imperative that police officers are held accountable for their actions. We treat allegations of misconduct with the utmost seriousness.' Following the criminal proceedings, misconduct proceedings against Rose were set to commence within GMP. The case, investigated by the IOPC with GMP support, underscores the serious breach of trust by a public servant in a position of authority over sexual offence victims.