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2w ago

IOPC Finds 12 Officers Would Have Faced Gross Misconduct Over Hillsborough

Rules in place when the investigations began prevent disciplinary action against retired officers, fueling renewed demands for a statutory duty of candour.

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People pay their respects at the Hillsborough Memorial on the 30th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster when 96 Liverpool supporters were crushed to death at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final football match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, outside Liverpool Football Club's Anfield Stadium, Britain, April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Phil Noble/ File Photo
Liverpool Justice Hillsborough

Overview

  • The watchdog concluded South Yorkshire Police showed deep complacency, fundamental failures and a concerted effort to deflect blame from the force onto Liverpool supporters.
  • Twelve named former officers, including match commander David Duckenfield, ex–chief constable Peter Wright and Sir Norman Bettison, would have had cases to answer, with a 13th potentially facing a misconduct case.
  • Investigators upheld or found cases to answer in 92 complaints and identified 327 amended officer statements reflecting a defensive approach to post‑disaster scrutiny.
  • West Midlands Police’s review was deemed inexplicably narrow and biased toward colleagues; senior officers Mervyn Jones and Michael Foster were referred to prosecutors but no charges followed.
  • Families condemned the outcome as a “bitter injustice,” Liverpool Council moved to strip Bettison’s knighthood and the South Yorkshire Police Federation drew sharp criticism for dismissing the report.