David Marsh @drmarsh72 - Twitter Profile

9 months ago

Re: that statement by South Yorkshire Police Federation which represents all constables, sergeants, inspectors and chief inspectors within South Yorkshire Police. Policing of games has changed hugely, SYP has obviously changed hugely in personnel and there are doubtless conscientious people there who must be horrified at the content and tone of the Federation statement but clearly, sadly, shamefully, some of the old culture remains. A read through and reaction to the statement which begins… “South Yorkshire Police Federation is aware of today’s Independent Office for Police Conduct report into the Hillsborough disaster. The report is a significant waste of taxpayers' time and taxpayers' money.” How heartless and offensive. The Federation should have started its statement with a show of compassion and contrition to the grieving families of the 97 people who died in the Hillsborough disaster. As for "taxpayers' money", people want to know their taxes are spent on police keeping people safe, not putting them at risk. It's not a “significant waste” of money to have “fundamental failures” (IOPC words) of the police highlighted by a watchdog and naming those who failed in their duties. “It is not fair or balanced.” What’s “not fair” is that the police tried to blame the victims in 1989. What’s “not fair” is that the families have had no justice. It’s also insulting to the IOPC which spent 13 years on the 366-page report. “Former police officers - some of whom are very elderly and some who have sadly passed away - do not have any kind of due process or the ability to formally respond to the allegations made in this report.” How callous. Try repeating that line about police officers “some who have sadly passed away” to the Hillsborough families still grieving the loss of loved ones. Was similar sympathy accorded them? No. The families were treated disgracefully after Hillsborough. “These are opinions of the IOPC essentially being dressed up as statements of almost fact. We emphasise that these are just allegations. Our former colleagues do not have and have not had the right to reply to any accusations.” Stop digging. Were the Hillsborough families given the right to reply to police falsehoods? IOPC reported that 100 more police officer statements after Hillsborough were found to have been amended, making it a total of 327 police officer statements amended. Cover-up writ large. “They should not face trial by media.” Try telling that to the families who endured trial by sections of the media after Hillsborough. “It is with this context that we should rightly question the value of this much-delayed report and its multi-million pound cost to the public purse.” Again, thoughtless. Judging by this statement, the Federation focuses on time and money. The families focus on justice. “This report doesn't help anybody involved in the Hillsborough disaster.” How dare those representing the police presume they – of all people – know what would help the bereaved families? Brave relatives campaign in the memory of their lost loved ones. They are trying to ensure this country never endures a disaster like this again and that the follow-up cover-up is never repeated. Full police accountability would help the families. This report underlines the importance of the Hillsborough Law which involves “a legal duty of candour on public servants and providing legal aid for victims of state-related deaths and disaster”, the Government says. The final line of the SYPF statement reads… “Our thoughts remain with all those affected by this terrible tragedy.” Finally. If the Federation had just released this short sentence, and deleted all the preceding self-serving, offensive words, its statement wouldn’t have been so widely criticised. #LFC

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David Marsh

@drmarsh72

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