A dozen policemen should have faced gross misconduct proceedings over the Hillsborough tragedy, a damning investigation published today has found.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct’s report found officers committed “fundamental failures” during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
However, the law at the time means no officers will face disciplinary proceedings because they had all retired before investigations began.
Nicola Brook, representing bereaved families through Broudie Jackson Canter solicitors, condemned the outcome as a “bitter injustice” that delivers acknowledgement but denies accountability.
Senior officers identified for potential gross misconduct included match commander David Duckenfield, who “froze in the crisis”, according to the IPOC, and admitted lying to FA officials about supporters forcing entry.
Former chief constable Peter Wright faced allegations of deflecting responsibility, whilst Sir Norman Bettison — who later became Merseyside Police chief — would have answered charges of dishonesty regarding his role when seeking promotion.
The catastrophe claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool supporters when police opened exit gates to ease external crowding but failed to redirect supporters from already-packed terraces.
A 2016 inquest determined supporters were unlawfully killed, rejecting claims fans bore responsibility for the tragedy that unfolded at Sheffield Wednesday’s ground.
A dozen policemen should have faced gross misconduct proceedings
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PAIOPC deputy director general Kathie Cashell condemned how survivors and bereaved relatives suffered “repeated” betrayals across decades.
“First by the deep complacency of South Yorkshire Police in its preparation for the match, followed by its fundamental failure to grip the disaster as it unfolded, and then through the force’s concerted efforts to deflect the blame onto the Liverpool supporters, which caused enormous distress to bereaved families and survivors for nearly four decades,” she explained.
She highlighted additional failures by West Midlands Police, whose “inexplicably narrow” investigation represented a lost chance to expose wrongdoing earlier.
The IOPC determined these investigators showed bias favouring police over supporters.
A grieving fan outside Hillsborough stadium in 1989
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PAThe investigations launched in 2012 after the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s findings cost £150million in public funds.
Despite extensive criminal proceedings, including charges against officers for perverting justice and Duckenfield’s 2019 acquittal on manslaughter charges, prosecutions largely failed to meet conviction thresholds.
Graham Mackrell, Wednesday’s former secretary, remains the sole conviction from all investigations, receiving a £6,500 fine for health and safety breaches.
Whilst investigators confirmed South Yorkshire Police attempted to shift culpability from themselves, they found insufficient evidence of an organised cover-up.
