Former officer banned from policing for repeatedly contacting sex workers
Former police inspector Toby Knight has been banned from ever working in policing after an investigation revealed he repeatedly contacted sex workers using his work phone while on duty. The misconduct hearing found his actions amounted to gross misconduct, compromising his position and risking corruption. Knight admitted to 245 contacts with sex workers via his work phone and 375 via his personal phone, with many occurring while on duty or during sick leave. He retired before the hearing but would have been dismissed had he still been serving.
Former Manchester Inspector Banned for Contacting Sex Workers 245 Times on Duty
A former Greater Manchester Police inspector who contacted sex workers 245 times using his work mobile phone while on duty has been permanently barred from serving in law enforcement. Toby Knight, who worked in the City of Manchester district, engaged in the misconduct between September 2018 and February 2024, with 165 calls occurring while he was officially on duty or attending training courses, and 11 more when he was reported sick.
The accelerated misconduct hearing on May 29, 2025, found Knight’s behavior constituted gross misconduct that compromised his position and put him at risk of corruption. The investigation began after the Independent Office for Police Conduct directed GMP’s Anti-Corruption Unit to examine Knight’s activities, which were initially flagged by the force’s Professional Standards Directorate. Knight was arrested on April 2, 2024, and admitted during his criminal interview that he had contacted sex workers while working and not for legitimate policing purposes.
Further analysis revealed Knight had made an additional 375 contacts with sex workers using his personal phone. Chief Resources Officer Lee Rawlinson, who oversaw the hearing at GMP Force Headquarters, stated Knight would have been dismissed without notice had he not already retired. Rawlinson emphasized that Knight’s deliberate actions violated GMP guidance and Chief Constable’s Orders, noting that “sex workers are often vulnerable and Knight’s actions undermine the job of a police officer.”
Knight, who did not attend the hearing and was not represented, submitted a statement acknowledging he had left the force because he “accepted his career would end in ignominy” and now “understands how important the role of a police officer is.” Detective Superintendent Simon Hurst of GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate confirmed Knight’s name has been added to the Policing Barred List, ensuring he cannot work in law enforcement again.
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