By Chris Williamson–
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has ruled that Devon and Cornwall Police needs to improve how it reviews vetting decisions, manages complaints and monitors the use of its IT systems, the police inspectorate has said.
The services assessed the effectiveness of Devon and Cornwall Police in three areas. The constabulary was graded ‘requires improvement’ in its vetting of police officers and staff, professional standards and counter-corruption arrangements.
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HMICFRS found that while the force actively looks for evidence of disproportionality in its vetting decisions and is adequately staffed to meet demand, it should improve how it explores and records information, which might question the suitability of an individual during the vetting process. The inspectorate added that it also needs to implement an effective quality assurance process to review vetting decisions.
Chief Constable Catherine Roper published an open letter to communities outlining the force’s approach to misconduct immediately after the gripping BBC Panaorama documentary which exposed misconduct amongst Charring Cross Metropolitan police officers. One of the officers said his misdemeanours were not ill intended or unsympathetic to rape victims, but that he was reacting to an investigation he had been a part of in which the rape victim did not appear to be credible. His many critics will lament his insensitivity to real rape victims.
Inspectors said Devon and Cornwall Police has an established process for sharing some relevant adverse information between departments, to help uphold professional standards, but needs to improve the way it manages complaints and conduct matters, and its timeliness in relation to handling public complaints.
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The force received praise by the HMICFRS for “proactively looking for corruption-related intelligence as a matter of routine”. The counter-corruption unit’s IT monitoring system automatically alerts relevant personnel if it identifies potential misuse.
However, it called on the force to improve how it monitors the use of its IT systems so it can effectively monitor, audit and investigate potential misuse.
His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, Kathryn Stone said: “The work of force vetting units, professional standards departments and counter-corruption units has never been more vital, with increased demand and focus on their activities.
“When police officers or staff are found to be involved in misconduct, it reduces public trust and confidence in the police service. We must make sure that the right people join the police service and those working to keep our communities safe can be trusted to do so.
“It was positive to find that Devon and Cornwall Police proactively looks for corruption-related intelligence. And in relation to its professional standards, it also has an established process for sharing some relevant adverse information between departments.
“We were disappointed to find that the force requires improvement in all areas of our inspection. It needs to implement an effective quality assurance process to review vetting decisions. And it should improve the way it manages complaints and conduct matters, including the time it takes to respond to public complaints.
“We will continue to monitor the force’s progress.”
Deputy Chief Constable Mark Cooper said: “Firstly, we welcome the transparency and rigour of the HMICFRS inspection process – now, more than ever, it is right that this area of our business is independently scrutinised.
“The report did acknowledge important strengths within this command, including:
“That we have developed and maintained relationships with partners who support vulnerable people – meaning we are more likely to gather corruption intelligence relating to potential sexual abuse and safeguarding vulnerable people; and
“That we reinforce standards of professional behaviour using a variety of methods.
“However, it also outlined a number of areas we need to grip – these included improving our quality assurance processes to review vetting decisions, speed up the time it takes to investigate and finalise complaints and conduct cases and improve how we collect and assess counter-corruption intelligence.
“It is important to note that the inspection was carried out at the start of this year and a number of things have changed, been introduced or developed since.”
He said the force had “accepted and progressed” all of the recommendations made to us by HMICFRS earlier this year
“We’ve changed the leadership cadre in this command – we now have a substantive detective superintendent overseeing our Professional Standards Department,” said Mr Cooper.
“Additionally, in February, I was appointed as the substantive deputy chief constable responsible for misconduct
“We’ve seen an increase in misconduct outcomes – both in terms of the number of gross misconduct hearings and the number of officers and staff dismissed as a result. Between October 2024 – September 2025, we held 26 gross misconduct Hearings (an increase from 17 the year previously) which resulted in 15 officers being dismissed (an increase from four the year previously) and nine police staff members being dismissed (up from four the year previously).
“We’ve further developed our relationships with key stakeholders to improve our service.”
This has included establishing a new partnership with Dorset Police aimed at improving the service provided to victims of domestic abuse where the alleged perpetrator is a serving or former police officer or staff member.
“Through this collaboration we are sharing specialist investigative expertise, introducing consistent processes across both forces, and providing enhanced support for victims from the very start of the investigation. This means that, no matter which of our counties a victim lives in, they will receive the same high standard of service and safeguarding,” said Mr Cooper.
He added: “I hope these improvements outline to our communities that we are totally committed to ensuring their local policing service operates with the highest level of integrity, care and professionalism.
“We will continue to ensure we embed improved practices and governance to enhance this further.”
Wiltshire police and crime commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “The public rightly expects their police force to operate with integrity, transparency and accountability. This report makes clear that Wiltshire Police must do better to meet those expectations.
“While it is encouraging that the force is adequately staffed to meet vetting demand and is reinforcing professional standards through organisational learning, the absence of robust quality assurance and delays in handling complaints are unacceptable.
“Upon first receiving this report earlier this year I met with the chief constable to ensure that a clear and urgent action plan was in place, and I am reassured that all recommendations in the report have now been addressed and rapid improvements made.
“Improvements must be swift, measurable and sustained and I welcome the chief constable’s grasp of the issues outlined to ensure that Wiltshire Police have the necessary processes and oversight in place to robustly address poor performance and effectively manage misconduct and criminal investigations regarding officers and staff.
“My office will continue to hold the chief constable to account through enhanced scrutiny and regular performance reviews. We will also continue to work with partners and community leaders to ensure the public’s voice is central to the force’s improvement journey.
“Wiltshire residents deserve a police service that is both operationally effective and ethically sound. I am committed to ensuring that is delivered and our residents should be reassured that the issues and recommendations outlined in this report have been addressed and rectified.”
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