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PA Wire/Press Association Images

Manchester police apologise for using Hillsborough disaster image in recruitment poster

The image was recalled within 90 minutes of being circulated.

POLICE IN MANCHESTER have apologised for using a “completely inappropriate” image of the Hillsborough disaster in a recruitment poster.

The poster, which was circulated within Greater Manchester Police this week, used an image from the 1989 disaster advertising for ‘super recognisers’ within the force.

Super recognisers are officers who have the ability to remember the faces of almost everyone they meet. Their skills are used to help capture the country’s most wanted criminals.

Assistant chief constable with Greater Manchester Police, Robert Potts, said senior officers were made aware of the poster on Wednesday.

“This poster contained an image of the Hillsborough disaster in progress, a distressing image which was completely inappropriate for such use,” Potts said in a statement today.

“The poster, which was only ever circulated internally within the force, was immediately recalled and the offending image was removed within 90 minutes of its initial circulation.”

Hillsborough memorial service File image PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

In April, in inquest jury ruled that the 96 football fans who lost their lives at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final were unlawfully killed, bringing closure to the victims’ families in their 27-year fight for justice.

The findings were highly critical of South Yorkshire Police, whose officers were accused of  ”retelling discredited lies” during the inquest. Police chief constable, David Crompton, was suspended immediately after the inquest.

Potts said the use of the Hillsborough disaster image by Greater Manchester Police was “not intended to offend” but to “demonstrate how super recognisers can greatly assist ongoing investigations”.

“The super recognisers technique has been successfully used in a number of complex national investigations, to identify potential witnesses as well as suspects,” he said.

We acted swiftly to remove the offending image and limit the distress caused. However, I recognise that the use of this image was obviously inappropriate and I am deeply sorry for the upset and offence that this has caused.

Read: ‘This has been the greatest miscarriage of justice in our times. But, finally, it is over’

Read: South Yorkshire Police chief constable suspended over his response to Hillsborough

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    Mute Bill
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    May 17th 2013, 7:25 AM

    Vast majority of the population have no say in the makeup of the Seanad shut it down .

    26
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    Mute Sean O'Sullivan
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    May 17th 2013, 7:08 AM

    Reform me arse! Shut it down!

    22
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    Mute FlopFlipU
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    May 17th 2013, 7:26 AM

    If there were imperfections in the system why were they not ironed out by now ,did it suit to have them there .It,s jobs for the boy,s I think -put them on half pay like the rest of the working people and see
    how many of them turn up

    21
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    Mute Itiswhatitis
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    May 17th 2013, 7:36 AM

    If we could see value . They are just a talking house with no power . The Dail can listen or ignore recommendations. The seante should have the ability to veto and block things.

    13
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    Mute Godblessthecraic
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    May 17th 2013, 7:39 AM

    I can’t wait to vote for its abolition, that’s if Fine Gael keep their election promise……..they wouldn’t lie to get into power would they??

    18
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    Mute gerbreen
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    May 17th 2013, 8:05 AM

    The Seanad has offered little to its citizens for many a year. Reform is not on the agenda as far as the referendum is concerned and has been frowned upon for years. Like the Dail it has a small number of successful people in the real world but they are too few in number and restricted by the whip. Unless I have been missing all these great successes of the upper house – I will be voting for its removal

    16
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    Mute Itiswhatitis
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    May 17th 2013, 7:20 AM

    If I could see value I would be in favour however since FG got in no real change has happened so shut the place down.

    16
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    Mute John Campbell
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    May 17th 2013, 8:10 AM

    Sorry, Senators Quinn and Zappone nice try but the people will not fall for it. Starting debate about changing the Senate is simply a smoke screen to hide the obvious which is that we simply cannot afford it and it serves little purpose save to award political ‘friends’ or groom prospective TDs. I note the proposal is for an ‘in house’ vote to make the change with the citizenry allowed no say. A straight yes or no vote in a referendum will do nicely thank you .

    15
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    Mute Oisín Ó HAlmhain
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    May 17th 2013, 8:41 AM

    Perhaps the fact that the Seanad is used as a consolation prize by some people, and a place to raise profile and become TDs is part of the problem.
    If all seanad nominations had to be in before any Dáil General Election, and no sitting senator was allowed run for the Dáil, then the Seanad might have more respect.

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    Mute John Scott
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    May 17th 2013, 9:43 AM

    there has been lots of reports sitting some where in the big house on REFORM. so SENATORS Quinn Zappone may be u should have a read of them. now get rid if this house an use all 65000e that u all get put it to some good.

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    Mute Alan Burke
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    May 17th 2013, 7:34 AM

    There are more than enough TDs and high ranking civil servants to oversee the tasks outlined above. The Seanad has no place in our political system and should be abolished.

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    Mute Geraldine Lee
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    May 17th 2013, 7:10 AM

    Shitheads

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    Mute Irish Mule
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    May 17th 2013, 12:50 PM

    Can’t wait till this retirement home is shut down.

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    Mute Tom Brennan
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    May 17th 2013, 1:02 PM

    I read it like this “Seanad, …., blah blah, drone on about constitution, waffle, more sh!te talk, blah blah, here is my pay cheque thanks to you taxpayers…”

    Shut the bloody thing down – simples.

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    Mute Scarr
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    May 17th 2013, 9:44 AM

    I’d like to see the Seanad shut down to make way for an innovation fund – one project fully funded for up to 4 years on Seanad money. Project would eventually have to be self funding. or We could start a entrepreneurialism course in school, or programming or product design. Much better uses of money.

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    Mute Brian O'Sullivan
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    May 17th 2013, 10:46 AM

    We can’t abolish the Seanad without seeing some real reform of the Dáil as well. It’s already too easy for the Government to railroad legislation through the Dáil thanks to the whip system, and removing the Seanad will make that even easier.

    If the Government set out their proposals for real reform of the Dáil before the referendum and put mechanisms in places that assure those reforms WILL go through once the Seanad is removed, then I’ll consider voting yes. Until then, I’m voting no, because I just don’t trust the Government being left completely to their own devices to do what’s best for the country.

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    Mute tax slave
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    May 17th 2013, 3:38 PM

    For a small country we are to top heavy . . Too many chiefs not enough Indians .

    3
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