Hillsborough cop to retire
West Yorkshire Police chief constable Sir Norman Bettison is to retire in the aftermath of the report into the Hillsborough disaster. The police watchdog has received a referral from his police authority over his briefing after the tragedy.
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The shadow transport secretary and Liverpool MP Maria Eagle has commented on the retirement of Sir Norman Bettison as West Yorkshire Police chief constable after the critical Hillsborough report:
Norman Bettison retiring just like Duckenfield & Murray. IPCC & Govt must continue investigation into his role in cover-up. #Hillsborough
From @meaglemp on Twitter:Retiring Hillsborough cop 'not ashamed'
The police chief that Hillsborough victims' families believe smeared their loved ones in 1989 has announced his retirement from his position as Chief Constable of West Yorkshire.
Sir Norman Bettison told ITV News' UK Editor Lucy Manning in an exclusive interview last month that "there's nothing I'm ashamed of":
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Hillsborough cop 'right to go'
by Lucy Manning - UK EditorWest Yorkshire Police Authority member tells me their view was that chief constable Sir Norman Bettison should go.
They were worried about public and staff confidence in him if the police watchdog the IPCC did investigate him.
Criticised Hillsborough cop announces retirement
The most senior serving police officer involved with South Yorkshire Police's Hillsborough operation, Sir Norman Bettison, has announced his retirement.
In a statement, the current Chief Constable of West Yorkshire said he will retire on 31 March 2013.
I have had the privilege to serve the people of West Yorkshire as their Chief Constable since 2007.
My term of appointment with West Yorkshire Police was due to end in January of this year, but was extended with the approval of the Police Authority and Home Secretary.
However recent weeks have caused me to reflect on what is best for the future of policing in West Yorkshire and I have now decided to set a firm date for my retirement of 31 March 2013.
I have offered this proposal to my Police Authority.
Whilst representing a personal decision, this will enable an incoming Police and Crime Commissioner, who will take up office on the 22nd of November, to begin the search immediately for a new Chief Constable who can take the Force forwards.
Furthermore, I hope it will enable the Independent Police Complaints Commission to fully investigate allegations that have been raised about my integrity.
They need to be fairly and fully investigated and I welcome this independent and formal scrutiny.
– Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Sir Norman BettisonThe record of my leadership of West Yorkshire Police will speak for itself. Crime is down and public confidence is up.
I remain very proud to serve the people of West Yorkshire and work alongside the committed and professional police officers and staff of West Yorkshire Police.
It remains my intention to maintain and improve the performance of the Force, whilst ensuring a smooth transition to a new Chief Constable.
Hillsborough cop: 'recent weeks caused me to reflect'
by Lucy Manning - UK EditorSir Norman Bettison has said: "Recent weeks have caused me to reflect on what is best for the future of policing in West Yorkshire." He will retire in March 2013.
But he is bullish: "The record of my leadership of West Yorkshire Police will speak for itself. Crime is down and public confidence is up."
Hillsborough cop to retire
by Lucy Manning - UK EditorChief constable Sir Norman Bettison is to retire, West Yorkshire Police confirms. This is in the wake of the Hillsborough report.
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Report: Hillsborough chief cop to retire
The Times' crime editor Sean O'Neill has tweeted:
Breaking: West Yorkshire chief constable Sir Norman Bettison to retire in wake of Hillsborough report - sources say he has bn 'forced out'
From @TimesCrime on Twitter:Call to end hatred between Liverpool and Man U fans
Plans by Liverpool and Manchester United to calm the animosity between their fans have been supported by the chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, Margaret Aspinall.
Ahead of Sunday`s meeting between the two sides at Anfield, a number of gestures are to be made to try and prevent the supporters present from taunting each other about tragic incidents that have happened in the past.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has written to his club's fans to encourage harmony. The match will be Liverpools first at home since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panels report into the 1989 disaster which claimed the lives of 96 of their fans.
Hillsborough police chief probed for 'supplying misleading information'
West Yorkshire Police Chief Sir Norman Bettison has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) following complaints he supplied misleading information after the Hillsborough disaster.
The referral, from West Yorkshire Police Authority, came following complaints from members of the public about Sir Norman being:
involved in the production and supply of misleading information for the various inquiries that have been undertaken into the Hillsborough disaster
Police watchdog receives complaints against Hillsborough police chief
The police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, said it has received a referral from West Yorkshire Police Authority in relation to complaints against Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison regarding the aftermath of the Hillsborough tragedy.