Suspended chief constable announces retirement

A recruitment process to find a replacement for Will Kerr is due to take place

Devon and Cornwall Police's Chief Constable Will Kerr has retired from the role.

Mr Kerr was suspended in July 2023 after an investigation was launched into claims made against him, and said it was "in the best interests of my family and the force" to retire from the role he took up in December 2022.

In April, it was confirmed by Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service Mr Kerr would not be prosecuted over allegations of sexual offending and misconduct in office during his work with Police Service of Northern Ireland.

He remained suspended as an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) not linked to the criminal allegations in Northern Ireland, was ongoing.

In a statement, Mr Kerr said: "Having been cleared in relation to what I believe were malicious criminal allegations in Northern Ireland, I have decided that it's now in the best interests of my family and the Force that I retire as Chief Constable.

"After nearly 36 years of public service, this is not the way I would have chosen to retire but the force, and communities across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, deserve stable leadership in policing."

'Stable leadership'

Alison Hernandez, Devon and Cornwall's police and crime commissioner, said she had reached an agreement on Mr Kerr's retirement as she felt it would allow the force to "move forward".

"Suspension from duty is a neutral act and there is always a presumption of innocence until proved otherwise," Ms Hernadez said.

"I have now agreed Mr Kerr's departure from the force to allow processes for new and stable leadership to take Devon and Cornwall Police forward as this is now in the best interests of all parties."

Ms Hernandez added she remained frustrated at the length of time the investigation into Mr Kerr was taking and "his departure does not signal guilt".

She said James Vaughan would continue as the interim chief constable until a recruitment process is completed.

Chief Constable Will Kerr said his retirement was in the best interests of his family and the force

The announcement of Mr Kerr's retirement comes a day after it was confirmed Deputy Chief Constable Jim Colwell had returned to work after being suspended in November for alleged "professional standards breaches".

Mr Colwell had taken over as acting chief constable during Mr Kerr's suspension before the IOPC investigation was launched into claims he used his work mobile phone to exchange messages of a "personal nature".

The IOPC gave Mr Colwell a written warning "to last for 18 months" after misconduct was proven by a panel.

Following the ruling, a Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson confirmed Mr Colwell had returned to his duties as deputy chief constable .

James Vaughan was appointed as interim chief constable in December after the suspension of Mr Colwell.