Challenges for new Devon and Cornwall police and crime commissioner

The PCC role is responsible for holding the force and the chief constable to account

Devon and Cornwall's new police and crime commissioner (PCC) will have to deal with many challenges after the election on 2 May.

The force's Chief Constable, Will Kerr, remains suspended over allegations of serious sexual offences - which he denies.

The force is in special measures for its response to emergency calls and the recording of crime.

A staff survey suggests some officers are struggling financially.

The PCC role is responsible for holding the force and the chief constable to account - and includes deciding how the area is policed and setting the budget.

Mr Kerr has been suspended since July 2023.

He strenuously denies the allegations which are being investigated by the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.

It said the investigation was ongoing and it did not have a timeframe for its completion.

This means a separate investigation into misconduct allegations by the Independent Office for Police Conduct has been paused while the criminal investigation continues.

Mr Kerr has been suspended since July 2023

Meanwhile, in October 2022, the force was moved into an enhanced level of monitoring by the police inspectorate, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

The watchdog found three areas for improvement - emergency call response, recording of crime and management of registered sex and violent offenders.

"Additional scrutiny" has been lifted for the third strand but it continues for emergency call response and recording of crime.

'Low morale'

According to a Police Federation survey, morale is low among the Devon and Cornwall officers who responded.

The report from the Police Federation of England and Wales also suggested 82% of the force's officers surveyed felt "worse off" financially than five years ago.

Devon and Cornwall Police has said improvements are continuing in emergency call response and recording of crime, and they are working with the federation to help officers.

The candidates are Alison Hernandez (Conservative), Daniel Steel (Labour and Co-operative), Steve Lodge (Liberal Democrat).