Salford police officer Thomas Woods has been dismissed from the force after pleading guilty last year to making and possessing over 1,000 indecent images of children.
Woods was arrested in December 2021 when the police attended his home address and seized two phones and a laptop.
More than 1,000 indecent images from across a 10-year period were recovered following extensive forensic examination – many of which showed sexual acts involving children.
Woods was dismissed without notice by Chief Constable Stephen Watson at the misconduct hearing, which he did not attend. He will also be placed on the College of Policing Barred List.
Chief Constable Watson said: “He is a sexual offender and completely forfeited the trust of the public. He will stand perpetually unforgiven by officers and staff whose acts of decency will be tainted.”
Woods pleaded guilty and was convicted at Manchester Crown Court on July 28, 2022.
He was sentenced for being in possession of indecent images of children, making indecent images, possessing prohibited images of children and possession of extreme pornographic images.
The former officer was handed 16 months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, and must sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.
“It is a very powerful principle that officers should preserve public confidence and the seriousness of the misconduct found in terms of professional behaviour means he has been dismissed without notice,” said Chief Constable Watson.
“Woods has committed very serious criminal offences. His acts were deliberate, unforced and unlawful, and also morally irreprehensible.”