In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through Devon and Cornwall’s law enforcement community, the acting chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, Jim Colwell, has been suspended from his £180,000-a-year position. The suspension comes amid allegations that Colwell misused his work phone, a mere 18 months after his predecessor faced a similar fate, leaving the force grappling with a deepening leadership crisis.
According to a senior policing source, the suspension has triggered fears that the Devon and Cornwall Police may spiral into “freefall” as it struggles to find stable leadership. The force had already been reeling from the July 2023 suspension of former chief constable Will Kerr, who faced criminal allegations of serious sexual assault, which he denies. Kerr remains suspended and under investigation, while Colwell had stepped up to fill the top job temporarily after serving only six months as deputy chief constable.
Police Watchdog Launches Investigation
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), the police watchdog, has launched an independent investigation into Colwell’s conduct. In a statement, the IOPC revealed that Colwell is being investigated for potential gross misconduct in respect to his use of a work-issue mobile phone to exchange messages of a personal nature without a policing purpose. The notice also relates to his alleged conduct concerning a force disciplinary matter.
“Our investigation is in its very early stages. The serving of such a notice advises an officer their conduct is subject to investigation and does not necessarily mean that any proceedings will follow.”
– IOPC statement
Colwell’s Reputation Among Colleagues
Colwell’s suspension has come as a shock to many who knew him well. A former close colleague described him as “straight as they come,” noting that he “doesn’t even swear in meetings.” Another source quipped, “He drives at 29 in a 30 mile an hour zone,” underscoring Colwell’s reputation for playing by the rules.
Commissioner’s Exasperation and Priorities
Alison Hernandez, the police and crime commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, expressed her exasperation at having to pay two chief constables’ salaries for more than a year. With Colwell’s suspension, expected to be on full pay, the force will now have to find funds for a third chief constable’s salary once another acting chief is appointed.
“Suspension is a neutral act to enable an independent and thorough investigation to take place. I … fully understand that there may be concerns within the force, in our communities and with our partners in relation to this suspension. I share those concerns and resolving leadership issues in the force remains my most pressing priority.”
– Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner
Force Under Special Measures
Compounding the leadership woes, the Devon and Cornwall Police remains under special measures, placed there by the policing inspectorate who assessed that the force was failing and lacked a plan to improve. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary is now urgently assessing whether the force has the resilience to manage in light of Colwell’s suspension.
Broader Context of Chief Officer Suspensions
Colwell’s suspension is not an isolated incident but rather part of a broader trend of chief officers from the 43 local forces in England and Wales facing suspension or investigation. This includes the chief constable of Gloucestershire police, his deputy, an assistant chief constable in Cheshire, the chief constable in Nottinghamshire, and a former chief constable of Humberside.
Furthermore, several forces, including West Mercia, Warwickshire, and now Devon and Cornwall, are currently without permanent chief constables, underscoring the leadership vacuum plaguing police forces across the country.
The Road Ahead for Devon and Cornwall Police
As the IOPC investigation into Colwell’s conduct gets underway and the search for yet another acting chief constable begins, the Devon and Cornwall Police finds itself at a critical juncture. The force must not only grapple with the immediate leadership crisis but also confront the deeper systemic issues that have left it under special measures and struggling to fulfill its core mission of serving and protecting the people of Devon and Cornwall.
The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining whether the force can weather this latest storm and emerge stronger, more accountable, and better equipped to meet the challenges of 21st-century policing. For now, however, the people of Devon and Cornwall are left to wonder who will step up to lead their police force out of this quagmire and how long it will take to restore stability and public trust in this vital institution.
