Devon and Cornwall Police have been ordered to improve how they review vetting decisions, handle complaints, and monitor IT system use, following an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).
The inspectorate rated the force as “requiring improvement” in three key areas — vetting of officers and staff, professional standards, and counter-corruption arrangements.
Inspectors said the constabulary was adequately staffed and proactive in gathering corruption-related intelligence but found weaknesses in the robustness of its vetting reviews and the consistency and speed of its complaint-handling process.
His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, Kathryn Stone, said improving standards in these areas “has never been more vital,” warning that misconduct “reduces public trust and confidence in the police service.”
The report acknowledged that the force had taken steps to identify disproportionality in vetting outcomes and improve the sharing of adverse information, but it lacked a strong quality assurance system to oversee decisions.
Detective Superintendent Alexandra Doughty, head of professional standards, said significant reforms have been made since the February inspection, including the creation of independent scrutiny panels and new training focused on decision-making and record-keeping within the vetting unit.
At the time of the inspection, there was a backlog of about 1,600 public complaints. Doughty said that number has since dropped by around 70%, and complainants now receive acknowledgements within two weeks.
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said she was “disappointed but not surprised” by the findings, adding that oversight has been strengthened through a new Police Conduct Oversight Board. She noted that performance was improving under Chief Constable James Vaughan, who took up the post in December 2024, but admitted “there is clearly still much work to do.”
HMICFRS said it will continue to monitor the force’s progress.
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