Acting police chief suspended over allegations

The acting chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police has been suspended for alleged "professional standards breaches".

Devon and Cornwall police and crime commissioner (PCC) Alison Hernandez said Jim Colwell had been suspended pending an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.

Ms Hernandez said: "I have this morning informed the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel of my decision and fully understand that there may be concerns within the force, in our communities and with our partners in relation to this suspension."

The commissioner said she shared "concerns" and said interim leadership arrangements will be made in "due course".

“A/CC Colwell has seven days to make representations to me relating to his suspension," Ms Hernandez said.

"Resolving leadership issues in the force remains my most pressing priority.”

The IOPC said Mr Colwell had been served with a gross misconduct notice over allegations he used his work mobile phone to exchange messages of a "personal nature".

It said it received a referral from the Devon and Cornwall PCC on Monday.

"We have started an independent investigation into the conduct of acting chief constable Jim Colwell,” an IOPC spokesperson said.

The chair of Devon and Cornwall Police Federation said it would work with the force to ensure service delivery was maintained during the "challenging times".

Nick Jones said: "Police Officers in Devon and Cornwall are striving to rise to the difficult challenges daily, dealing with ever increasing public demand, coupled with increased scrutiny from our requirement to improve under recent HMICFRS reviews, which I know we have robustly challenged.

“This latest news is devastating, not just for the members of Devon and Cornwall and the communities we serve, but for the ongoing continuity of business delivery at the highest level."

Mr Colwell was leading the force in place of chief constable Will Kerr who was suspended in July 2023 over sexual allegations.

The suspensions of Mr Colwell and Mr Kerr are not related, the office of the PCC said.

Referring to the decision to suspend Mr Colwell, Ms Hernandez added: "Suspension is a neutral act to enable an independent and thorough investigation to take place.

"It has no bearing on any indication that the allegations will be upheld and should not be seen as such."

Steve Darling, MP for Torbay, described the situation as "bizarre".

"It feels as if we are on a merry-go-round of chief constables," he said.

"Having this happening at another time in Devon where the acting lead officer for the police, because of the suspension, is now himself suspended."

Steve Race, MP for Exeter, said he had "severe concerns" about the leadership and political leadership of Devon and Cornwall Police.

"We have a chief constable who has been suspended for over a year, we now have the acting chief constable who is also suspended," he said.

Mr Race said people across Devon and Cornwall "really deserve answers" about the leadership of the force.

"I think Devon and Cornwall people deserve to know what the plan is to deliver a good police service across our two counties," he added.

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