Acting police chief suspended over allegations

'I UNDERSTAND COMMUNITIES MAY BE CONCERNED'

- CARL EVE

DEVON and Cornwall's Crime Commissioner has suspended her Acting Chief Constable 14 months after suspending her Chief Constable.

A short statement from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner said that Alison Hernandez had made the decision to suspend acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell in response to "potential conduct matters." A spokesperson for the OPCC said: "Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez has suspended Acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell following alleged professional standards breaches.

"The Commissioner has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has confirmed it will investigate the allegations. The Commissioner said she will announce interim leadership arrangements in due course." Ms Hernandez said: "Sadly it has been my duty to suspend A/CC Jim Colwell and refer this matter to the IOPC. Suspension is a neutral act to enable an independent and thorough investigation to take place. It has no bearing on any indication that the allegations will be upheld and should not be seen as such. A/CC Colwell has seven days to make representations to me relating to his suspension.