New South Yorkshire Police chief offers to step down after 'corrupt practice' probe

Dawn Copley has 'offered to step back to her substantive role' while another temporary chief constable was sought

Deputy Chief Constable Dawn Copley resigned from her new post after just one day (Handout)

The acting chief constable of South Yorkshire Police, who replaced David Crompton yesterday following the Hillsborough inquest findings, has offered to step down after it emerged she was being investigated over her conduct with a previous force.

Dawn Copley has "offered to step back to her substantive role" while another temporary chief constable was sought.

Ms Copley was one of several officers accused of "corrupt practice" by another officer, who was later sacked, while she worked for Greater Manchester Police.

South Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings said the decision was due to her not wanting "any further negative publicity or criticism to be levelled at the force".

Dr Billings said he had been made fully aware of the allegations when Ms Copley was originally appointed as deputy chief constable.

"As this matter has not yet been concluded I am unable to comment publicly on the allegations and the outcome but as soon as I am able, I will do so," he said.

"In the meantime Mrs Copley has my full support. However, Mrs Copley has made clear to me that she does not want any further negative publicity or criticism to be levelled at the force.

"In the interests of the force and the workforce she has therefore offered to step back to her substantive role to allow me to seek support from the College of Policing in identifying another Chief Officer from outside the force to act as Temporary Chief Constable until a recruitment process can take place."

He said she would stay in the post for a short amount of time to deal with pressing matters, but the stay would be kept as short as possible.

On Wednesday, the chief constable of South Yorkshire Police was suspended over his handling of the Hillsborough inquest.

Dr Alan Billings said he had been left with “no choice” but to suspend Mr Crompton due to the “erosion of public trust and confidence” in the force following the verdict.

Additional reporting by Press Association