Temporary South Yorkshire Police chief steps down after just 24 hours

The Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings said a replacement will now be sought from outside of SYP.

Dawn Copley was appointed on Wednesday by Dr Alan Billings after he suspended previous chief David Crompton due to his handling of the Hillsborough inquest.

But as the Advertiser reported yesterday, Mrs Copley has been investigated by her former force, Greater Manchester Police (GMP), for misconduct allegations.

Dr Billings said he knew about the allegations Mrs Copley faced when she joined SYP in September as Deputy Chief Constable.

He added that, following questions from the media about the investigation, she had now decided to step back from the chief role but will revert back to her role as Deputy Chief Constable.

Dr Billings said: “I would like to make clear that Mrs Copley fully declared the details of allegations into her conduct when she applied for the post of Deputy Chief Constable here at South Yorkshire Police.

“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. 

“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.

“Mrs Copley will need to stay in post for a very short period of time, to deal with pressing matters, but, at her request, this will be for the shortest possible period.

“Events have moved very quickly over the last few days. 

“I am sorry that I cannot say anything more definite at this time but we have been working closely with national bodies about these issues and hope to make a further announcement in the coming days.”

Mrs Copley had previously been Assistant Chief Constable at GMP since 2010 where she was also responsible for GMP’s professional standards branch.

A spokeswoman for GMP said an independent investigation into her alleged misconduct was undertaken by Kent Police following a number of allegations that were made by an individual. 

The spokeswoman added: “We have received a copy of the report and sent it to the complainant as requested. 

“The individual now has 28 days to appeal the findings. 

“It would be inappropriate for us to make further comment about the detail in the report.”