Suspended Devon and Cornwall Police chief investigated over claims of ‘serious sexual offences’

Chief constable Will Kerr has been suspended after just eight months in the role

Devon and Cornwall police chief Will Kerr has been suspended following allegations of misconduct (PA Wire)

The suspended chief constable of Devon and Cornwall police is being investigated over “serious allegations of sexual offences”, the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, Marie Anderson, confirmed.

Chief Constable Will Kerr, who previously served with the Police Service of Northern Ireland for more than 27 years, was suspended on Wednesday after just eight months at Devon and Cornwall Police.

Police and crime commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, Alison Hernandez, said she had made the decision to suspend him following allegations of misconduct.

In a statement released on Wednesday night, Mr Kerr said he “strenuously” denied any allegations of criminality.

Mr Kerr said: “In relation to the statement from the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland in which she named me as being the subject of a criminal investigation into serious allegations of sexual offences, I strenuously deny any allegations of criminality.

“I recognise and respect the fact that accountability and due process are vital to any investigation, regardless of rank or position. I will continue to co-operate with any investigation. I hope that all matters will be expedited so that they will be concluded without delay.”

The Chief Police Officers Staff Association said Mr Kerr was co-operating with the investigation, which it said related to “legacy misconduct matters”, but he had not yet been interviewed.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed it was investigating the claims and “whether inaccurate information may have been provided as part of a previous vetting process”. A criminal investigation into the alleged sexual offences has been launched by the Northern Irish Police Ombudsman.

A statement from Marie Anderson said: “The Police Ombudsman commenced a criminal investigation into serious allegations of sexual offences against a former PSNI senior officer, currently the chief constable of Devon and Cornwall, on 16 June 2023, using her own motion powers.

“The ombudsman will also consider the circumstances under which the allegations were investigated by PSNI.

“The office has been engaging with the IOPC on cross-jurisdictional issues in recent weeks, as well as with the office of the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner.

“Details concerning the precise nature of the allegations and any early investigative actions remain confidential at this time.”

In a statement, the office of PCC for Devon and Cornwall said: “Alison Hernandez, the police and crime commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, has suspended the chief constable of Devon and Cornwall police, Will Kerr OBE KPM, following allegations of misconduct.

“The commissioner has referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which has confirmed it will commence an investigation.”

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed deputy chief constable Jim Colwell will become acting chief constable in the meantime.

Mr Colwell said: “I am keen to reassure the public that we will maintain our focus on delivering the best possible service to our communities.

“We have thousands of dedicated and professional officers, staff and volunteers within our force and strong leadership throughout which, when pulled together, mean we can continue to make improvements at pace to provide our communities with the highest levels of service they deserve.”

One senior source told the Guardian that Mr Kerr’s suspension raised concerns about the resilience of the force, which was placed in special measures by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary before he took over in December 2022.

Devon and Cornwall police came under fire after the Keyham shootings in Plymouth in 2021 in which five people were shot dead before the gunman killed himself.

Police were criticised after handing a firearm back to the gunman weeks before the shooting, having previously revoked his licence.

Mr Kerr was previously deputy chief constable of Police Scotland. In a statement, Police Scotland said: “Will Kerr left Police Scotland in 2022. These allegations do not relate to his time at Police Scotland and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

He served with the Police Service of Northern Ireland for more than 27 years and reached the rank of assistant chief constable there, leading on both serious crime and counter-terrorism.

In 2015 he was made an OBE, and he received the King’s Police Medal in the New Year Honours earlier this year.