Deputy Chief Constable replaces suspended police chief

Mr Crompton was suspended yesterday due to his handling of the Hillsborough inquest.

The Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings said he had been left with “no choice” but to suspend the Chief Constable due to an “erosion of public trust and confidence” after the Hillsborough disaster inquest verdicts.

Prior to the suspension shadow home secretary Andy Burnham described Mr Crompton’s position as “untenable”.

Dr Billings said: “I have reached this decision with a heavy heart following discussions with David Crompton both in the run up to, and following the delivery of the Hillsborough verdicts.

“My decision is based on the erosion of public trust and confidence referenced in statements and comments in the House of Commons, along with public calls for the Chief Constable’s resignation from a number of quarters including local MPs.”

Mrs Copley said: “The Police and Crime Commissioner has taken the decision to suspend Chief Constable David Crompton and has asked that I act as Temporary Chief Constable at this time, which I have agreed to do.”

She added the force was “absolutely determined to maintain our focus on delivering the best possible policing services to the communities of South Yorkshire.”

Mrs Copley became deputy in September having previously worked in the north west of England.

She joined the Police Service in 1987 and served in Lancashire Constabulary for 23 years prior to transferring to Greater Manchester Police in 2010 as Assistant Chief Constable.

Mr Crompton is due to retire in November and Dr Billings said the process to find a new Chief Constable had already begun.

The force has faced further criticism again after a message on its retired officers' website was accidentally made public.

The BBC said the statement on the South Yorkshire branch of the National Association of Retired Police Officers (Narpo) told former officers who served in the 1980s they should be proud of their work, despite the Hillsborough inquests’ conclusions.

South Yorkshire Narpo secretary Rick Naylor stated “there were many examples of outstanding actions and selflessness by police officers on that tragic day as they did their best to deal with the disaster unfolding before them”.