No evidence of gross misconduct by acting chief constable
An investigation into the conduct of then acting chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, Jim Colwell, has concluded there is no evidence of gross misconduct.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it found no case to answer in respect of either the alleged use of a work issue mobile phone to exchange personal messages without a policing purpose, or his conduct concerning the handling of a force disciplinary matter.
“Overall we found no evidence to determine any gross misconduct, or any breach of professional standards for honesty and integrity,” it added.
“We did decide the now deputy chief constable has a case to answer for misconduct in respect of a potential breach of the force’s notifiable associations policy.
“In our opinion there was sufficient evidence upon which a reasonable misconduct tribunal could find that his actions breached standards of professional behaviour for order and instructions, and conduct.”
The IOPC said it will be for a future misconduct meeting, arranged by the chief constable of Essex Police as the delegated appropriate authority, to determine whether misconduct is proven and any outcome.
The investigation followed a referral from the Devon and Cornwall police and crime cin November.