GMP ACC Rebekah Sutcliffe 'ashamed' over breast incident

I would like to repeat the apology that I have already given to Sarah Jackson, to the Chief Constable and to my colleagues. I deeply regret what happened and the impact it has had upon those people. I continue to feel very ashamed that I behaved in this way. I would also like to apologise now to the public - for the unpleasant nature of the incident and for the fact that I have let them down.

The responsibility for what happened is mine and mine alone. At the time of the incident, I was under significant personal and professional pressure. In this context I foolishly became drunk, and as a result behaved in a way that is entirely at odds with the way I conduct myself on a daily basis and with the person and senior leader that I want to be.

I did not mean any of the things that I said and I am dismayed that I was so unkind and unfair. I hold Sarah Jackson in high esteem, and prior to this incident consistently supported her and many others over a number of years with professional development and progression.

Since the incident, through the support of professional counselling and my family and friends, I have reflected carefully on what has happened and taken steps to ensure this never happens again. I am determined to continue on this path.

I am passionately committed to the work of Greater Manchester Police and to public service. I have always sought to treat victims, the vulnerable, the wider public and my colleagues with care and respect and to promote this behaviour in others.

I am very grateful that I have been given the opportunity to return to work. On my return, I will bring the very best of my abilities to serve policing and the public as well as I am able. What I did was wrong, and I apologise for it. I now look forward to getting back to serving the community I love. 30 January 2017