Hillsborough

[Neil Young]

Once again it looks like a police officer is going to get away with misconduct - and keep his pension as a result - by taking early retirement.

Untouchable.

[dom9]

Having read up on it a little earlier, I think they can only lose their pension if found guilty of a criminal offence.

[Alex]

Big day today for the campaign for Justice.

[Alex]

Tony Barrett @TonyBarretTimes
The IPCC statement on Hillsborough is at 11.30. Let's hope they do the right thing and belatedly set the wheels of justice in motion.

[spud_gun]

Guardian ticker reporting......

'Large number' of current and former police officers face investigation over claims made in report on Hillsborough disaster in biggest ever investigation into police in UK, IPCC

[Alex]

Tony Barrett @TonyBarretTimes
This is an incredible development. Individuals and corporate bodies could now face prosecution over Hillsborough.

[Alex]

Guardian sport @guardian_sport
DPP to review all Hillsborough evidence to see if further criminal charges should be brought + IPCC plans biggest ever inquiry …

[Alex]

david bartlett @davidbartlett1
IPCC: "It was unwise of Sir Norman Bettison to issue a press statement attempting to exonerate himself immediately after the report."

[dom9]

That is fantastic news. Finally, there might be some accountability and real justice.

[Alex]

david bartlett @davidbartlett1
IPCC: "The role of then-Chief Inspector Bettison’s role in the aftermath of the disaster will be independently investigated by the IPCC."

Glad he can't just retire and get away from it all.

[Vermilion]

That is fantastic news. Finally, there might be some accountability and real justice.

Hope so. Terrible really, but i'm still dubious and untrusting of these people, lets see what actually happens, and what charges are brought eventually.

But yes it is looking like the wheels are truly in motion now.

[dom9]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19922092

The biggest ever independent investigation into police wrongdoing is to be carried out following damning reports into the Hillsborough disaster.

The IPCC police watchdog and director of public prosecutions have announced they will both launch inquiries into possible crimes committed by police.

The IPCC said both serving and former officers would be investigated over the deaths of 96 Liverpool fans in 1989.

They will consider if individuals or corporate bodies should be charged.

A "large number" of current and former officers now face investigation over claims made in a report on the Hillsborough disaster, the IPCC said.

The Hillsborough Independent Panel last month revealed 164 police statements were altered - 116 of them to remove or change negative comments about the policing of the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at the Sheffield stadium.
'Potential criminal offences'

Deputy chair of the IPCC Deborah Glass said "without a shadow of a doubt" it would be the biggest ever investigation carried out into police behaviour in the UK.

Both South Yorkshire Police, who dealt with the tragedy, and West Midlands Police, who investigated how South Yorkshire handled the disaster, will come under scrutiny.

Sir Norman Bettison, currently Chief Constable of West Yorkshire, has been referred to the IPCC over allegations that he provided misleading information after the tragedy.

It has also been revealed that he is also under investigation for allegations that he "attempted to influence the decision-making process of the West Yorkshire Police Authority in connection with the referral that they had made", Ms Glass said.

She added: "The potential criminal and misconduct offences disclosed by the panel's report fall into two broad categories.

"They are the allegations that go to the heart of what happened at Hillsborough in April 1989 and individuals and institutions may be culpable for the deaths, and there are allegations about what happened after the disaster, that evidence was fabricated and misinformation was spread in an attempt to shift blame."

Allegations that statements were altered and that misleading information was passed to the media and MPs will be investigated and could lead to police misconduct and criminal charges, Ms Glass said.

Claims that officers questioned bereaved next of kin about their loved ones' alcohol consumption, carried out alcohol testing and checked the police national computer to find information about the dead and injured could also lead to charges.
'Full support'

Anne Williams, mother of 15-year-old Kevin Williams who died at Hillsborough, said: "This is really good news. Good news that they are moving quickly to save us any more heartache.

"I welcome it and I know it's going to be a long process, but at least they are getting the ball moving."

Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, Chris Sims, said: "I welcome today's decision by the IPCC to look into the role of West Midlands Police following the tragedy at Hillsborough in 1989.

"As chief constable I read the Hillsborough Independent Panel Report and immediately referred West Midlands Police to the IPCC.

"Today, the IPCC have accepted that referral and West Midlands Police will give their full support to the IPCC investigation."

[dom9]

Dominic Casciani Home affairs correspondent

The scale of what the IPCC has announced is completely unprecedented.

There's never been an independent police investigation in the UK into multiple forces, in which the key allegations include perverting the course of justice - one of the most serious crimes that could be committed by a sworn officer.

What's not clear at the moment is how many officers, serving and former, will come under investigation and how long it will take.

The second key issue will be whether, after all these years, investigators will be able to build cases that will reach the criminal standard of proof required for prosecutions.

This is just the first step on the long legal road to justice in the wake of the Hillsborough Panel Report.

The next important decision will come from the attorney general.

He will decide whether to ask the high court to reopen the inquests.

[Alex]

David Conn @david_conn
IPCC: S Yorks Police stories about drunk fans somehow causing Hillsborough "May amount to perverting the course of justice, or perjury."

[Lecter]

Once again it looks like a police officer is going to get away with misconduct - and keep his pension as a result - by taking early retirement.

Untouchable.

Its disgraceful

If the police wanted to make a deterrant to misconduct amongst their officers they would put in a system that allowed pensions to be stopped if the level of misconduct was proven and proven severe enough

Bettisson jumping ship is a clear attempt by him to escape IPCC investigation and to retain his considerable pension rights (over £80K per annum I read recently)