Acting Chief Jim Colwell, suspended in November 2024, returns to his Deputy role, remaining suspended during investigation.
Jim Colwell, the Deputy, became Acting Chief Constable but was then suspended in November 2024. Accusations of misuse involve his work phone. James Vaughan from Dorset then became Interim Chief Constable after Hernandez hired him to lead the police force.
Kerr and Colwell still get paid, with each receiving around £180,000 annually. Hernandez called the cost of three chiefs “eye-watering” and wants Colwell back in his old Deputy role. This is a way to cut expenses during probes.
Hernandez wants more power over these matters and seeks government help with the high costs. The monthly cost was £63,913 including salary, pension, and allowances. Colwell is now Deputy Chief Constable again, but he remains suspended while they investigate him.
The force had three Chief Constables for three months and Hernandez asked the Home Office for money. Police Commissioners lack power to investigate and must refer issues to the IOPC. Hernandez is frustrated by the delays.
The investigation into Kerr is taking a long time and taxpayers paying two Chief Constable salaries is not good. Resolving this and leading the force are priorities. Hernandez wants power to probe Chief Constable misconduct, and she will ask the Home Secretary for this authority.