Former Manchester police chief John Stalker dies at age of 79
JOHN STALKER, once one of Britain’s most high-profile and controversial policemen, has died aged 79, his family announced yesterday.
The Manchester-born officer served for more than 30 years and rose to the rank of Deputy Chief Constable before leading a major investigation into an alleged “shoot to kill” policy by police in Northern Ireland targeting members of the Provisional IRA.
He was removed from the case shortly before it was due to report in 1986 and before he took possession of what he believed to be an MI5 tape of one of the shootings.
He was then accused of associating with criminals in Manchester – but was later exonerated.
His report was never published, and there were conspiracy theories suggesting he had been close to uncovering uncomfortable facts that went to the heart of government.
Mr Stalker, who is survived by his two daughters, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, had been in poor health following the death of his wife 14 months ago.
His time in Northern Ireland followed a series of travels in which he studied terrorism and crime in Europe, the USA
and South America. After his retirement in 1987 he carved out a new career as a journalist and pursued his passion for writing, publishing an autobiography in 1988.
He also enjoyed travelling the world with his wife and spending time at their holiday home in North Wales.
His eldest daughter, Colette Cartwright, paid tribute to him, saying: “He spent his life as a devoted police officer, proudly serving the people of Greater Manchester.”
In 1978 – aged 38 – Mr Stalker was appointed head of Warwickshire CID, the youngest Detective Chief Superintendent in the country – later becoming Deputy Chief Constable of the Greater Manchester Police in 1984, the largest force outside London.
Ms Cartwright added: “We will always be proud of him and everything he achieved.”