New chief constable needed 'very quickly'

Dr Tim Brain said the announcement needed to be made "very quickly"

A retired chief constable says Devon and Cornwall Police needs a new temporary chief constable in post as soon as possible.

At the end of November, Devon and Cornwall's Acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell was suspended for alleged "professional standards breaches".

Police commissioner Alison Hernandez said she would announce interim leadership arrangements in due course.

Dr Tim Brain, former chief constable of Gloucestershire Police and former chair of the Chief Police Officers' Staff Association, said the announcement needed to be made "very quickly".

'Legal problems'

He said: "I certainly would hope within days, but it could be as many as a couple of weeks or so.

"I think if it gets longer than that, then there would be technical and legal problems for the function of the force.

"So, I think they will be looking very quickly to fill that gap."

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 Police and Crime Commissioner said.