NEWS

James Vaughan appointed as interim Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable

Appointment follows suspension of acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell, recruited following suspension of Chief Constable Will Kerr, as force pays salaries of all three.

Leigh Curtis

James Vaughan has been appointed as interim Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable following the suspension of acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell at the end of November. He was sworn in last Friday and took up duties immediately.

His recruitment involved Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez, the College of Policing, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Police and Fire & Rescue Services, Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel and representatives of Cornwall Council.

James Vaughan is Devon & Cornwall Police’s third chief constable in eighteen months. He retired from Dorset Police in 2021 after spending nine years at the force, the final three as chief constable.

He said: “I am honoured to have been appointed as interim chief constable. This is not a role I take lightly, and I would like to reassure the residents of our two counties that I am committed to leading Devon & Cornwall Police in delivering a police force we can all be proud of.”

Interim Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable James Vaughan Interim Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable James Vaughan. Photo: Devon & Cornwall Police.

James Vaughan’s appointment follows the suspension of acting Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable Jim Colwell at the end of last month.

Jim Colwell was served notice by the Independent Office for Police Conduct of an investigation into potential gross misconduct “in respect of his use of a work issue mobile phone to exchange messages of a personal nature without a policing purpose” and “alleged conduct concerning a force disciplinary matter”.

He was appointed in July last year to lead Devon & Cornwall Police on a temporary basis following the suspension of Chief Constable Will Kerr.

Will Kerr, who joined Devon & Cornwall Police in December 2022, had been under investigation over allegations of sexual offences, which he denies, for several months by the time of his suspension.

Both continue to receive a salary while investigations continue, leaving Devon & Cornwall Police paying for three chief constables at once.


Democracy doesn't work when people don't know who is deciding what on whose behalf and what the costs and consequences of those decisions will be.

Exeter Observer is proving that reader-funded media can deliver the independent public interest journalism our local democracy needs.

Upgrade to a paid Exeter Observer subscription to support our work and get access to exclusive premium content and more.

More stories
Existing Exeter area parliamentary and district council boundaries map

Will Devon’s eleven councils find common ground as local authority reorganisation deadline looms?

A county-wide consensus is gaining traction with most Devon councils already on board and only Exeter City Council standing in its way while County Hall has yet to make up its mind.

Exeter bus corridors map keyframe

Devon County Council plans more bus priority schemes aimed at improving journey times in Exeter arterial roads

Schemes in Alphington Road, Barrack Road, Cowley Bridge Road, Honiton Road, Topsham Road and at Exe Bridges gyratory to follow Cowick Street, Heavitree Road, Pinhoe Road and New North Road changes.

Heavitree and Whipton Active Streets Trial scheme map

Devon County Council admits Heavitree & Whipton Active Streets trial led to “lack of trust” in County Hall decision-making

Focus groups held following termination of controversial trial find broad support for safer travel but also reveal perception of “downward spiral” in Exeter highways management while county council confirms it has no plans for new schemes in area.

Devon County Council leader James McInnes

Devon County Council plan to postpone local elections fails as government rejects devolution fast-track application

County council leader James McInnes sought ministerial approval for proposals despite Devon falling short of devolution white paper eligibility criteria.

On Our Radar
Breathe seedling puppet sitting in a shell

FRIDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2025

Breathe

Half a String uses puppetry, music and live camera work to tell a family-friendly tale from the perspective of a tiny acorn.

EMMANUEL HALL

Joukhainen's revenge by Akseli Gallen-Kallelan

FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2025

Kalevala

Katy Cawkwell and fellow storytellers present tales from Finland’s national epic poem in Exeter’s oldest building.

ST NICHOLAS PRIORY

Exeter Bach Choir

SATURDAY 8 MARCH 2025

Exeter Bach Choir

A performance of Bach’s Mass in B Minor to celebrate the choir’s 30th anniversary.

EXETER CATHEDRAL