Michael J Todd

Biography

Todd grew up in Essex where he attended the Billericay School and later attended the University of Essex. He graduated with a first class honours degree in government in 1989 and a master's degree in politics in 1994. The university named him the alumnus of the year in 2003 for his contributions to policing and the community. He joined Essex Police in 1976, and the Metropolitan Police on a management exchange programme.

Todd was appointed an Assistant Chief Constable in Nottinghamshire in 1995, initially managing support services and then operational policing. In 1998, he was appointed as the Deputy Assistant Commissioner back in the Metropolitan Police. In 2000, following his promotion to Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police, he was responsible for Territorial Policing, covering all 32 London Boroughs. In 2002, he was selected as Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police from 2002 and in 2006 he became a vice-president of ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers), both posts he held until his death.

Investigation of CIA extraordinary rendition flights

Todd investigated on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers the extraordinary rendition flights conducted by the CIA to transport detainees.

Taser demonstration

Todd allowed himself to be hit by a taser in 2005 to demonstrate that the stun guns were safe; this was an effort to have them more widely issued to police officers. "I couldn't move, it hurt like hell," he said after recovering. "I wouldn't want to do that again."

Personal life

He was married with three children, a daughter and twin boys. His social interests included Warhammer (Space Marines), computer gaming and reading, particularly military and political biographies.

Death

After Todd was reported missing by Greater Manchester Police, rescue teams from Llanberis, North Wales, started a search for him at 01:00 on 11 March 2008. After being alerted by hill walkers who found personal possessions, they found Todd's body in the Bwlch Glas area of Snowdon. The post-mortem report initially found "no obvious cause" of death.

After his death, Manchester Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Angie Robinson was reported to have been having an affair with Todd. Todd's widow Carolyn paid tribute to "a caring and loving father and husband."

The inquest into his death was opened and adjourned on 13 March 2008. The inquest ruled that Todd had died from exposure, essentially freezing to death having been only lightly clothed on the slopes of Snowdon.