Police and Crime Commissioner Explains Suspension of Acting Chief Constable

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez has stated that the choice to suspend Jim Colwell, the acting chief constable for Devon and Cornwall Police, was “extremely difficult.” Ms. Hernandez indicated that Mr. Colwell’s suspension occurred on Wednesday due to alleged “professional standards breaches,” with the public announcement made the subsequent day. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed that Mr. Colwell received a gross misconduct notice concerning allegations that he utilized his official mobile phone to send and receive messages described as being of a “personal nature.” Ms. Hernandez acknowledged public demands for her resignation, asserting, “I’m doing my job.” She stated that Mr. Colwell was granted a seven-day period to “make representations to me relating to his suspension.” “One of the things I have to consider before I suspend is a public interest test in terms of, does this affect the confidence of policing, is there an element that would make it untenable for the chief constable to continue, these are all considerations I have to make,” she explained. She further added, “I also have to consider whether or not he can be deployed into another role. Some of these things are still available that I’m considering in this seven-day grace period.” She reiterated, “It was an extremely difficult decision. It was something I didn’t take lightly.” Mr. Colwell had been serving as the force’s leader, stepping in for Chief Constable Will Kerr, who was suspended in July 2023 due to sexual allegations. Ms. Hernandez clarified that the suspensions of Mr. Colwell and Mr. Kerr are unrelated. The police and crime commissioner further remarked, “It’s quite interesting I’ve had quite a lot of correspondence to me personally and to my office trying to make out I’m the problem and I should resign. I’m not quite sure when a man’s had allegations made about them why it becomes a woman’s problem. If I get allegations brought before me with evidence I have to make a decision on that. I’m doing my job.”