Left to right: suspended chief constable Will Kerr, suspended acting chief constable Jim Colwell, interim chief constable James Vaughan. Photos: Devon and Cornwall Police.
The Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner’s office has confirmed that the cost of paying the three chief constables currently employed by Devon & Cornwall Police is £63,913 per month, equating to £767,000 a year, including allowances and pension costs.
James Vaughan became the force’s third chief constable in eighteen months when he was appointed as interim chief constable in December. He was recruited following the suspension of acting chief constable Jim Colwell the previous month.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct served Jim Colwell notice 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 the force in December 2022, had been under investigation over allegations of sexual offences, which he denies, for several months by the time of his suspension.
Last month Jim Colwell was returned to his previous rank of deputy chief constable while suspended, slightly reducing the wage bill.
The Police and Crime Commissioner is seeking financial support from the Home Office towards the force’s extra costs.
