Chief Constable steps down after GMP placed into special measures

Ian Hopkins has stepped down as Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, after the force was placed into special measures.

The news of his resignation was announced on Friday afternoon (18 December) by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham. 

Mr Hopkins - who joined the force in 2008 - will stand down with immediate effect, with Assistant Chief Constable Ian Pilling stepping up as interim Chief Constable ahead of a full recruitment process which will begin in the new year. 

He was due to retire in autumn 2021 but has brought it forward "given my current ill health" and to help with "the timely recruitment of my successor".

Mr Hopkins, who had been Chief Constable since October 2015, had revealed earlier this week that he was on sick leave because he had been suffering with an inner-ear condition called labyrinthitis, which affects balance, since the end of October. 

GMP - the second largest police force in England, responsible for policing in Tameside and Oldham - was put into an "advanced phase" of monitoring on Thursday to reflect the "poor service the force provides to many victims of crime".

The new measures are expected to remain in place until sufficient improvement has been demonstrated. 

It comes after a damning report by a police watchdog emerged last week, which found that it failed to record 80,000 crimes in a year. 

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary estimates that the force recorded just 77.7 per cent of reported crime between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020, as well as about a quarter (one in four) of all violent offences - thus failing to protect many vulnerable victims.  

A dedicated hotline for victims who have any complaints about the way GMP has handled their case is due to be up and running next week. 

There have been calls for Labour mayor Burnham to resign over the force's failings but he has said he would not be stepping down.

As part of his role, Mr Burnham has responsibilities around the governance and budgets relating to GMP, supported by the deputy mayor for policing and crime Beverley Hughes. 

Asked why it was the chief constable who had stepped down and not him, Mr Burnham said: "Because I do not run Greater Manchester Police.

"The police service is operationally independent from politicians and rightly so. My job is different. I have to hold the police to account for the services they provide to the Greater Manchester public, and I am here today doing my job holding the police service to account."

'The time is right to stand down' 

In a statement issued by GMP, Mr Hopkins (pictured) said: "These are challenging times for Greater Manchester Police. The force has a long-term strategic plan to address the issues raised by the HMIC and I believe this plan should be led by a Chief Constable who can oversee it from start to finish. 

"Considering what is best for GMP and the communities we serve, and given my current ill health, I have decided to stand down from the post of Chief Constable with immediate effect.

"It has been an honour to serve the public for 32 years, nearly 13 of which as a Chief Officer in GMP. Throughout my career I have been committed to achieving the best outcomes for the people I serve. The decision to stand down is not one I have taken lightly but I feel the time is right. 

"I was due to retire in autumn 2021 and bringing that date forward assists in the timely recruitment of my successor. 

"I would like to pay tribute to my colleagues and the many dedicated officers and staff I have had the privilege of working with throughout my service."

GMP said no further comment would be made at this time.