Police officer convicted of sexual offences and misconduct in a public office

A Greater Manchester Police officer has been convicted of multiple counts of misconduct in a public office and sexual offences over a three-and-a-half-year period.

Mohammed Adnan Ali, 36, had been working as a volunteer Police Cadet Leader since 2013 and a Student Officer Development and Assessment Coordinator since 2016. Both roles brought him into contact with young people, many of whom were vulnerable, and some with aspirations of becoming serving police officers themselves.

Ali presented as a trustworthy and inspirational leader. His police career had been a successful one, he had won numerous awards for his work with young people and had been highly regarded by some of his colleagues. Young cadets would look up to him as a role model.

In October 2018 another more sinister side to Mohammed Adnan Ali was revealed. One young person, who worked under Ali’s supervision, reported to a colleague that Ali had been behaving inappropriately towards him. It soon became clear that they were not the only one. Other young cadets and apprentices under his supervision and care had also been the subject of the most inappropriate conduct.

Greater Manchester Police, managed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, commenced a lengthy investigation. It uncovered countless inappropriate sexualised messages, sexual images and behaviour from Ali towards young people in his care as well as sexual assaults.

On some days, hundreds of messages would be sent. They were sent from the early hours of the morning until late at night. He sent highly inappropriate photographs of himself and would encourage other young people to send images to him in return.

The messages were highly inappropriate for an officer in his position and included: “Just lay in bed…wish u were here xx” and “Wish you were in the bath with me.”

Ali was arrested and charged. He denied 15 counts of misconduct in a public office and five counts of sexual assault against three teenagers.

Following the five-week trial, Ali was convicted of all 20 offences. He will be sentenced on 23 June 2023.

Karen Tonge, Specialist Prosecutor for CPS North West’s Complex Casework Unit said: “As a police officer Ali was expected to adhere to the strictest standards of behaviour and professional conduct. This was particularly so as he was working directly with young and vulnerable people in his care.

“Ali grossly abused his authority and exploited his position over a sustained period. He abused his position of trust to deliberately instigate inappropriate relationships with these young people for sexual gratification. Many were vulnerable and many looked up to him.

“The Crown Prosecution Service has worked hard with Greater Manchester Police to build a strong case to put before the jury including lengthy phone evidence and eye witness testimony.

“I would like to thank the victims for bravely reporting the matters and helping us to bring him to justice.

“Where there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to do so, the CPS will always robustly prosecute offences such as these.”

Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane said: “Whilst Ali is responsible for committing these crimes, no one should be subjected to crime or misconduct during their contact with police officers and staff, like these young people were – for that, and in acknowledgement that Ali could have been better supervised and managed, we are sorry.

“My thanks go to the victims and witnesses who bravely supported the prosecution which secured today’s verdict. Though trials are a fundamental part of the criminal justice system, the impact they can have on those involved and with whom cases resonate is not underestimated.

“We will ensure they are supported for as long as they need.

“Alongside the criminal and misconduct investigations, this case initiated a full review of GMP’s Volunteer Police Cadet Scheme. With national oversight, improvements have been and are continuing to be implemented to ensure cadet leaders are the role models they are expected to be and that they do not pose a risk to anyone.”

Head of GMP’s Professional Standards Branch, Chief Superintendent Mike Allen said: “Today’s verdict will do nothing to ease the public’s concerns about police misconduct.

“However, Ali represents the very worst and the minority in policing - he is among a very small percentage who discredit the police service and undermine trust and confidence in it.

“These individuals are being rooted and booted out by exemplary colleagues reporting their behaviour, investigating allegations, building cases against them, and playing a crucial role in proceedings to ensure they face the full force of the criminal justice system and have the many privileges of working in policing taken from them. 

“Following national direction to all forces, the Force Vetting Unit is currently re-vetting all GMP officers and staff to ensure those who are wearing the force uniform and that those who have applied to do so are fit to serve the public.

“However, efforts don’t stop there. Whilst the assessment teams review complaints and allegations, the investigation teams and misconduct proceedings unit work together to secure the best criminal and misconduct outcomes, as a covert unit work under cover in amongst the workforce to stop corrupt officers and staff in their tracks. 

“Though ensuring all employees behave with the highest standards of professional behaviour won’t be completed overnight, the people of Greater Manchester, the thousands of exemplary GMP officers and staff, and the force’s trusting stakeholders have my guarantee that, with my oversight of Professional Standards, the branch will do everything in its power to ensure the Code of Ethics is upheld to protect public trust and confidence in our ability to deliver outstanding service.” 

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “From his training with the police service, Ali would have been very aware of the devastating effects sexual abuse can have on young people.

“Nevertheless, he used his position of trust to groom and assault young people in an horrific abuse of power.

“We hope the individuals who were targeted by Ali are receiving all the support they need to move forward with their lives.

“We would encourage anyone who has experienced abuse to speak out and seek support, no matter when it happened or who the perpetrator was.

“Adults can speak to the NSPCC Helpline and anyone under 18 can talk to our Childline counsellors.”

Crime can be reported via gmp.police.uk or 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

GMP’s Professional Standards Branch can be contacted via the force’s website. Reports can also be made anonymously via Crimestoppers, or 0800 555 111.