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A former police inspector fell from a 100-foot-high motorway bridge several months after leaving his department, following allegations that he sent ‘sexist’ WhatsApp messages that ‘objectified’ a female officer.

‘Very-esteemed’ Jonathan Ezard, 38, stepped down from GreaterManchester Policelast year before a disciplinary hearing.

A married man with two children was accused of sending messages considered by his superiors to be ‘misogynistic, degrading, and disrespectful’ – and also reportedly shared pictures of the officer with a former colleague.

One of his remarks is reported to have been: ‘Great! She appears incredibly stylish when going out at night.’

His family claimed the ‘misconduct accusation was unjustly described, pursued, and resolved’ and that it ‘deeply distressed him,’ while coworkers mentioned he had been ‘harassed’ by his former supervisors.

A source stated, “The remarks became known when another police officer from a separate force was undergoing professional standards investigations.”

A soldier’s phone was taken, and this WhatsApp group was discovered. That’s when Mr Ezard’s remarks became known.

Mr. Ezard was described as a “highly respected” officer, according to sources. One individual stated, “He was very popular. He was an excellent leader. Everyone, regardless of their rank, held him in high regard.”

He completed the task and achieved outcomes. What has occurred to him is a complete scandal.

He has faced constant pressure from GMP. Those responsible must be held accountable. It’s unacceptable.

Mr. Ezard, a married man with two children, is reported to have initiated an appeal, although a hearing was never conducted.

His family and ex-colleagues have expressed their frustration with the leadership over how they managed his case.

In a statement, his family members said: ‘The situation surrounding Jon’s departure from the police force—a misconduct accusation that was unjustly portrayed, pursued, and resolved—deeply affected him, as did the reality that his appeal, which we anticipated would be successful, was never scheduled for consideration.’

We are deeply saddened and struggling to come to terms with an unbearable loss.

We wish that Jon is recalled for the life he led, his commitment to helping others, the impact he had in his neighborhood, and the affection he showed to his family and friends.

A former coworker remarked that Mr. Ezard encountered ‘the challenges of today’s increasingly unfair disciplinary and ruthless termination system,’ and added, ‘I’m upset that another colleague felt he had no alternative left.’

A former coworker claimed the messages central to the misconduct investigation were not sexist.

Another claimed he was a “devoted police officer… respected by many under his command.”

They stated: “Generally, he served with honor, received numerous awards and recognitions, and was known for his leadership.”

That a system and profession he dedicated himself to showed such hostility and disrespect at the end of his career, attempting to minimize the majority of his spotless service, hard work, and sacrifices to others, reducing it to a single entry on a restricted list.

A former officer started a new position with Amazon after leaving his previous role, but it is reported that he was terminated during his trial period.

He passed away on Tuesday, March 31, in the presence of shocked coworkers who had attempted to convince him to come down from the parapet of the 100ft (30-metre) high Barton Bridge on the M60 Manchester outer ring road.

The event is not considered unusual, and an inquest will be initiated at a future time by the Bolton Coroner, who is responsible for Salford.

During a disciplinary hearing last autumn, Mr Ezard acknowledged his behavior was ‘sexist, objectifying, inappropriate, and incorrect,’ but contested that it constituted serious misconduct.

It was reported that he ‘deliberately looked for’ images of the ‘young female officer’ from her social media profile in January and shared them with another police officer from a different department whom he was familiar with.

Lee Rawlinson, GMP’s chief resources officer, stated that the accusations—which he determined constituted serious misconduct—related to the distribution of images and messages on January 1 and 8, 2025.

Mr. Ezard, described as an “experienced officer with many years of service and training,” had his name included on the College of Policing’s “Barred List,” which stops him from working in law enforcement again.

Mr. Ezard played a central role in an effort known as Operation Venture, which began in 2022 and aimed to address violence and knife-related crimes in Manchester.

He was honored with multiple awards and recognitions and played a significant role in combating organized crime. In 2013, Mr. Ezard embarked on a journey across the Sahara, raising nearly £10,000 in tribute to murdered police officers Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes.

A message from Mr. Ezard’s family stated: “We are heartbroken to confirm the death of our dear Jon. Jon was above all a dedicated husband, a proud and caring father, a beloved son, a loyal brother, and a friend to many.”

Jon showed commitment to his community while working as a police inspector, a position he approached with honor, motivation, and a deep sense of responsibility.

A representative from GMP stated, “We are profoundly distressed by the passing of former Inspector Jonathan Ezard.”

We are providing our assistance to the officers and personnel who have been directly affected. We will keep supporting the inquest to enable his family to obtain the information they seek.

For private assistance, contact The Samaritans at 116123.

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