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Tributes pour in to 'proper copper' Todd

Kathryn Ryan
13/ 3/2008

TRIBUTES from across the city have been pouring in for Chief Constable Michael Todd.

The 50-year-old’s body was discovered on Mount Snowdon on Tuesday, March 11 after a huge search was launched following his disappearance the day before.

Salford police officer Geoff Hince met the Chf Con several times and described him as a ‘copper’s copper‘.

Mr Todd,a father-of-three, accompanied Geoff to the National Police Federation awards last July where Geoff was named Britain’s bravest bobby.

Geoff said: "He was such a charismatic gentleman.

"On the night of my award as soon as my name was read out he was the first person bear hugging me and congratulating me.

"Whenever I’ve spoke to him he used to say how much he loved Manchester and he was going to stay here.

"I genuinely believe he cared for the police and public and wanted to make Manchester a better place.

"It’s a crying shame what has happened and my thoughts go out to his family and the people who worked with him.

"He was a genuinely nice person, a copper’s copper and he knew how to talk to people.

"He was polite and a great gentleman.

"It’s a great loss for Greater Manchester and the police."

Derek Osbaldestin, of Worsley, was chair of the Greater Manchester Police Authority for four years until last year.

He said: "I worked very closely with Michael.

"He was quite an inspirational leader and he started many initiatives about leadership.

"He was absolutely committed to staying with Greater Manchester Police.

"He had the full support of myself when I was chairman of the GMPA."

Lead member for crime, Councillor David Lancaster, said: "I am absolutely astonished it has happened.

"He was an excellent chief constable.

"We had a few differences but he would still listen to the argument you put forward and take it into account.

"He was a good copper, he knew what was happening on the beat and he would go out on a regular basis - in Salford."