Police chief to lead South Yorkshire Police improvement review

Interim Chief Constable, Dave Jones, has asked for a Deputy Chief Constable from another force to undertake a review of South Yorkshire Police to establish what needs to improve.

Chf Con Jones was brought in following the suspension of David Crompton in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster inquests, which ruled that 96 football fans were unlawfully killed and that police actions contributed to the tragedy.

He faced a wave of criticism for seemingly going against a public apology he made in 2012 for the force's failings over the disaster, by overseeing an 'adversarial' police legal strategy during the inquests which families of the victims felt smeared Liverpool fans.

Crompton, who was due to retire from the £195,000-a-year job in November, was replaced by his deputy, Dawn Copley, who stood down after 24 hours when it emerged that she is the subject of an internal investigation by Greater Manchester Police, where she used to work.

Chf Con Jones, seconded from North Yorkshire Police, said: "I have called for support from both the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs Council and some of the best police leaders in the country will be assisting us.

"A Deputy Chief Constable from another force will be coming to lead an improvement review of South Yorkshire Police, broadly to understand what we do well and where we can improve.

"We welcome this support and my intention is that this review will provide the new permanent Chief Constable with an informed starting position with which to take the force forward."

Neil Bowles, chairman of the South Yorkshire branch of the Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, has questioned the suspension of Mr Crompton.

"The Federation and its members are still at a loss why Mr Crompton was suspended," he said.

" I have seen no evidence of loss of public confidence within South Yorkshire. The negativity appears to come from elsewhere in the country and the House of Commons.

"Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary have been inspecting all forces almost continuously over the last 18 months to two years. Their reports into South Yorkshire Police show a force that is steadily improving across the spectrum."