Summary
A new report revealed that 12 police officers would have faced serious misconduct charges over their handling of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where 97 Liverpool fans died. The report found significant failings and efforts to wrongly blame fans, but due to laws at the time, retired officers cannot be disciplined. Changes in the law now mean retired officers could be held accountable, but these do not apply retrospectively.
Key Facts
- Ninety-seven Liverpool fans died during a stadium crush at Hillsborough in 1989.
- A report found 12 police officers would have faced misconduct charges over the disaster.
- The former South Yorkshire Police chief and a match leader were among those implicated.
- The report noted major failures and attempts to shift blame onto fans.
- Over 92 misconduct cases were upheld or found, but no officers face discipline as they retired before 2012.
- The law changed in 2017, but it does not apply to those who retired before the investigation began.
- Current South Yorkshire Police chief apologized for the failures of the police force.
- Families of the victims received the report, which is the largest police misconduct investigation in England and Wales.
