Hillsborough disaster: New South Yorkshire Police boss vows to listen to families

An inquest has ruled Liverpool fans were not to blame for the 1989 disaster

Floral tributes outside Hillsborough the morning after the disaster (PA)

The new interim chief constable of South Yorkshire Police has said he plans to listen to the families of those who died in the Hillsborough disaster as he starts work with the beleaguered force.

Dave Jones has been appointed to run the force on a temporary basis.

Dr Billings suspended the current chief constable, David Crompton, following the outcome of Hillsborough inquests last week.

Mr Crompton reiterated an apology for the disaster hours after the verdicts and said he accepted the findings of the inquests jury.

But he was criticised by the families for the stance taken by lawyers representing the police during the two-year-long hearings.

He was replaced last week on a temporary basis by his deputy, Dawn Copley, but she had to step down within a day after it emerged she was under investigation for alleged misconduct by her previous force.

At a press conference in Sheffield, Mr Jones, the current chief constanble at North Yorkshire, said he will be undertaking a fundamental review of the force but taking care to include the rank-and-file officers out on the streets. He said a senior officer from another force will also be brought in to conduct a review.

South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable David Crompton was suspended following the inquest's verdict last week (Getty Images)

The chief said he will be engaging with the Hillsborough families and also those associated with the ongoing controversy over the policing of the Orgreave pickets in the 1984 miners' strike.

He said: "I also think I also need to hear from the families of the Hillsborough disaster, the truth and justice committee for Orgreave and also the public of South Yorkshire about how they experience policing and what they think's not working.

"But crucially, I also think that the workforce need to be able to get a voice into that review to make sure we fully understand, warts and all, what we think is actually happening in policing in 2016.

"It is just not South Yorkshire Police and I think that's been recognised nationally and we do need a national response to that issue."

Mr Jones said: "I think the service can be institutionally defensive around the way in which it approaches certain things.

"There is no question that this is a very difficult period, both for South Yorkshire Police as an organisation, and for the communities it serves locally and further afield.

"Nevertheless, I believe there is a strong desire - both inside and outside the police service - for the force to move forward in a positive direction.

"First and foremost, I will engage with those communities both inside and outside of South Yorkshire who have been let down by the police service.

A vigil for the 96 Hillsborough victims outside Saint George’s Hall in Liverpool (Getty)

"I want to understand how their confidence in policing has been affected, and work with them to build it back up and restore pride back into the police service.

"In addition, and with the support of the police and crime commissioner, I will be seeking the full support of the College of Policing, NPCC and HMIC to provide a thorough review of South Yorkshire Police."

Mr Jones insisted he was taking up the role "as a volunteer" and said: "I am not under-estimating the scale of the work ahead, but part of the reason why I have taken on this interim role is that I believe that the policing as a whole has a duty to help the service in South Yorkshire to move forward."

Mr Crompton's suspension follows a torrid four years at the helm of the force which saw the organisation criticised for a range of different controversies including the scandal over child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, the controversy surrounding a search of Sir Cliff Richard's house and ongoing questions about the policing of the miners' strike.

He said Mr Jones will work with the existing leadership team, including Ms Copley, but he will bring with him an additional assistant chief constable from North Yorkshire, Ken McIntosh, with a particular remit to help coordinate the provision of support from national police agencies.

Dr Billings said the permanent role will be advertised in the coming weeks, with a view to making an appointment over the summer.

Mr Jones started his policing career in 1986 with Greater Manchester Police and has also served with the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

North Yorkshire's Deputy Chief Constable, Tim Madgwick, will become temporary chief constable for that force until Mr Jones returns.

PA