Martin Harding

Martin spent 32 eventful years with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) retiring as a Superintendent in 2006. This period of service coincided with a period of huge cultural change both internally and externally. At the time of his joining, GMP had just 6 Black officers.

Martin saw service during periods of civil unrest including the National Front demonstrations, Miners strike, the steelworkers strike and the Moss Side riots in the summer of 1981.

His interest in equality and diversity surfaced at an early stage with Martin being a founder member of the National Black Police Association. His work here was recognised with the award of a Home Secretary's Commendation. He went on to create and manage the GMP Diversity Command, the body charged with the responsibility of making Greater Manchester Police an inclusive organisation and employer of choice.

Martin has had a long association with the University of Salford, regularly invited to address Criminology and Media studies undergraduates and is now actively engaged in the commercialisation of a University of Salford research project.