Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Anti-Corruption Unit has been authorised to bring charges against two individuals, one of whom is a suspended police officer, following an extensive investigation.

Andrew Talbot, born on June 14, 1970, previously assigned to GMP’s Serious Crime Division, faces a litany of charges, including two counts of possessing Class A drugs, possessing ammunition, failure to comply with a S.49 RIPA notice, theft, intent to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, three counts of misconduct in public office, and three counts of accessing police systems without authority. Notably, Talbot is currently suspended from his duties.

Keith Bretherton, born on June 22, 1974, hailing from Wigan, has been charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, possession of Class A drugs, and possession of Class B drugs.

Both individuals are scheduled to appear at Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrates Court on Thursday, September 21, 2023.

The allegations against them pertain to incidents that occurred between 2017 and 2021. GMP’s Anti-Corruption Unit initiated its investigation in February 2020, leading to the arrest of Andrew Talbot in the same month. Keith Bretherton was subsequently apprehended in June 2021. Earlier this month, following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service, the suspects were officially charged.