In a move designed to bring much-needed stability to Devon and Cornwall Police, interim Chief Constable James Vaughan has agreed to extend his tenure for another 16 months, following a period of leadership turbulence and institutional uncertainty. The announcement, made on August 9, 2025, by Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez, means Vaughan will remain at the helm until January 2027, steering the force through a crucial phase of recovery and reform.
Vaughan’s journey to the top job began in December 2024, when he was appointed interim Chief Constable after the suspension of Acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell. This move came during a particularly fraught period for the force, which had already seen the suspension of its substantive Chief Constable, Will Kerr, in 2023 over serious allegations of sexual offences—allegations which Kerr has always strenuously denied. According to BBC, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in Northern Ireland confirmed in April 2025 that it would not prosecute Kerr in relation to those accusations.
Meanwhile, the force’s leadership carousel continued when Jim Colwell, who had stepped in as acting chief, was suspended in November 2024 for alleged breaches of professional standards, specifically the force’s “notifiable associations” policy. As reported by Devon Live, Colwell’s breach involved failing to declare that he had exchanged messages with a journalist on social media. After a hearing, he received a written warning and has since returned to his substantive role as Deputy Chief Constable, resuming his duties within the force.
For many in the region, the repeated changes at the top created an atmosphere of uncertainty. Commissioner Hernandez acknowledged these challenges, stating, “I have been really pleased to see how Chief Constable Vaughan has tackled head-on several legacy issues from the period of unstable leadership that preceded his appointment.” She emphasized the importance of stability, adding, “The force and the residents of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly would now benefit from a much-needed period of stability.”
One of Vaughan’s most notable achievements since taking the interim post has been overseeing the force’s removal from the Engage stage of monitoring—commonly referred to as ‘special measures’—by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services. This marked a significant turnaround for the organization, which had faced intense scrutiny over its performance and leadership in recent years. As the BBC highlighted, since Vaughan’s recruitment, “the force has been moved out of special measures.”
Vaughan himself expressed pride in the progress made under his leadership, telling the BBC, “It is a personal privilege to be asked by the Commissioner to stay on in my role. I have really enjoyed leading this fantastic organisation for the last eight months and seeing the great work officers, staff and volunteers do every day to keep our communities safe. Despite some challenging times we have made considerable progress over the last few years and that is testament to the hard work of everyone in the force.”
Commissioner Hernandez also pointed to Vaughan’s efforts to make the force more effective and responsive to public needs. In particular, she noted his decision to reduce the number of senior ranks, a move designed to free up more officers for community work and deliver better value to local taxpayers. As she put it, “I have welcomed his decision to reduce the number of senior ranks to enable more officers to be out in the community where council taxpayers can really feel the benefit and get better value for their money.”
The partnership between Hernandez and Vaughan appears to be a cornerstone of the force’s recent improvements. The Commissioner highlighted their unified approach to delivering on Police and Crime Plan priorities, saying, “It’s so important that Mr Vaughan and I take a unified approach in delivering my Police and Crime Plan priorities. I have been delighted to work closely with him and stand side by side at events including my recent VAWG Disruptive Ideas workshop that aims to tackle violence against women and girls, and Councillor Advocate seminar on the serious violence work taking place across the peninsula.”
Vaughan echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the collective effort involved in turning the force around. “Working closely with the PCC and our partners I am confident that we will continue to improve the service we offer across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly,” he said. He credited the dedication of officers, staff, and volunteers for the “considerable progress” made, even amid the “challenging times” that have defined the recent past.
The extension of Vaughan’s contract is intended to provide a steady hand at the tiller while the force prepares for a more permanent leadership solution. According to all official statements, the process to recruit a substantive Chief Constable is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026. This timeline, reported by both BBC and Devon Live, is designed to ensure a smooth transition and avoid further disruption to the force’s operations and public confidence.
For residents of Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly, the hope is that this period of stability will translate into continued improvements in policing and community safety. The force’s removal from special measures is seen as a key milestone, but both Hernandez and Vaughan acknowledge that more work lies ahead. Their recent collaboration at events such as the VAWG Disruptive Ideas workshop and the Councillor Advocate seminar underscores a shared commitment to tackling pressing issues like violence against women and girls and serious violence across the peninsula.
Looking forward, Commissioner Hernandez expressed optimism about the force’s direction under Vaughan’s continued stewardship. “I look forward to the coming 16 months which I am confident will see more good work and continued improvement under Mr Vaughan’s experienced leadership,” she said. For his part, Vaughan remains focused on building on recent successes and ensuring that the force delivers high-quality policing services to the communities it serves.
In an era where public trust in institutions can be fragile and leadership changes can unsettle even the most resilient organizations, the extension of James Vaughan’s contract is being welcomed as a stabilizing force for Devon and Cornwall Police. As the force moves forward, all eyes will be on Vaughan and his team to see if they can continue to deliver the progress and reassurance that local residents so clearly desire.
