Hillsborough: New Police Chief Offers To Quit

The acting chief constable of South Yorkshire Police has offered to step down - just 24 hours after being appointed.

Dawn Copley was promoted from her role as deputy chief constable after her boss David Crompton was forced out of his job on Wednesday following public anger over the Hillsborough disaster.

He was suspended six months before he was reportedly due to retire as chief constable of the force, which was heavily criticised by families of the 96 people killed in the stadium tragedy.

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Mrs Copley offered to quit after it emerged her conduct at her previous employer, Greater Manchester Police, is being investigated.

The allegations reportedly involve a group of senior officers accused of "corrupt practice".

Greater Manchester Police confirmed "an independent investigation was undertaken by Kent Police following a number of allegations".

South Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings said Mrs Copley had "offered to step back to her substantive role" while another candidate is sought.

He said he had been made fully aware of the allegations when Mrs Copley was originally appointed as deputy chief constable.

Dr Billings added: "As this matter has not yet been concluded I am unable to comment publicly on the allegations and the outcome, but as soon as I am able, I will do so.

"In the meantime, Mrs Copley has my full support. However, Mrs Copley has made clear to me that she does not want any further negative publicity or criticism to be levelled at the force.

"In the interests of the force and the workforce she has therefore offered to step back to her substantive role."

It comes as families expressed outrage after the secretary of the South Yorkshire branch of the National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO) posted online that officers had done a "good job" despite the deaths of the 96 Liverpool fans.

Rick Naylor, whose comments have since been removed, said ex-officers acted with "dignity" despite the "bile and hatred" aimed at them.

The jury at the inquests ruled the 96 fans were unlawfully killed - and the behaviour of supporters was not a factor in the tragedy at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final.

Jurors also concluded blunders by the police and ambulance services "caused or contributed to" the deaths.