POLICE officers in Bury were angered by a letter from their boss saying they will be sacked if they are racist, anti-gay or sexist.

Greater Manchester Chief Constable Michael Todd has now issued an apology after he admitted he was not aware of the contents of the letter or the distress it would cause to male and female officers. More than 11,000 uniformed and civilian staff employed by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) received the letter at home last week.

A number of female officers were upset at the tone of the note, with many other rank and file officers also fearing they were under investigation for discriminatory issues.

Mr Todd's letter said: "We have made it very clear that this force will not tolerate sexist, racist, homophobic or other discriminatory behaviour. You should be very clear that unless there are extreme extenuating circumstances you are likely to be sacked whatever your position in GMP - if you are seen to behave this way."

PC Andy Wright, Bury police's Federation representative said: "I can honestly say that officers and staff at Bury had a mixture of feelings ranging from anger to disgust."

The GMP Federation, which protects the rights and welfare of all employees, was inundated with telephone calls and emails from all ranks, up to Chief Superintendents, demanding an explanation for the mailshot which cost the taxpayer £4,000.

Now, Mr Todd has been forced to say sorry for the letter and denied knowing the actual contents before it was issued.

In an email message to all GMP employees, the Chief Constable said: "The reason the force took this unusual step was based on legal advice, following a disciplinary hearing where some members of staff claimed they didn't know the force policy in relation to inappropriate material and behaviour.

"The message was sent out in the form of a letter to ensure that it got to everyone. I am sure that it was sent in this way with the best of intentions to address a serious issue and no one intended to cause any offence or concern to anyone.

"Having now seen the actual letter that was sent out and spoken to our staff associations, I do understand that it has caused some people to think that it was specific to them and that they must therefore be under investigation. This is not the case. I also do not think that it should have been sent to home addresses."

He added: "I have often said in my leadership presentations that we should accept when we have got things wrong. I think that this is one of those occasions where the organisation has got it wrong. The message should have been communicated in another way. To any member of GMP or their family who has been offended or concerned about this letter, I would like to say that I am really sorry."

However, some officers remain unhappy, calling for a vote of no confidence in Mr Todd while others, in letters to the GMP Federation website, said it was further evidence of Mr Todd's hardline attitude towards staff.

PC Wright said: "The vast majority of all police officers and police staff within GMP are hard working, loyal and professional."