Devon and Cornwall Police
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| Devon and Cornwall Police | |
|---|---|
| Agencyname | Devon and Cornwall Police |
| Formed | 1 April 1967 |
| Preceding1 | Devon Constabulary |
| Preceding2 | Cornwall County Constabulary |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Countryabbr | UK |
| Sizearea | 5,500 km2 |
| Sizepopulation | 1.7 million |
| Legaljuris | England and Wales |
| Headquarters | Middlemoor, Exeter |
| Sworn | approx. 2,800 |
| Unsworn | approx. 1,700 |
| Chief1name | Chief Constable |
| Chief1position | Chief Constable |
| Parentagency | Home Office |
Devon and Cornwall Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the ceremonial counties of Devon and Cornwall, including the unitary authorities of Plymouth and Torbay, and the Isles of Scilly. The force covers a large rural and coastal area with urban centres such as Plymouth, Exeter, and Truro, and manages maritime responsibilities around the English Channel and Celtic Sea. It engages with national agencies and local authorities, including collaborations with neighbouring forces and bodies such as the Home Office, National Crime Agency, College of Policing, Local Government Association, and regional emergency services.
History
Devon and Cornwall Police was created on 1 April 1967 by merging predecessor forces including Devon Constabulary and Cornwall County Constabulary, during a period of reorganisation influenced by reports such as the Herbert Committee recommendations and the broader context of post-war policing reform. The force has roots reaching back to 19th-century institutions like the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 reforms that shaped borough police in Plymouth, Exeter, Truro, and Barnstaple. Throughout the late 20th century the force navigated events including responses to civil disturbances linked to demonstrations at Greenham Common and policing for large public events such as the G7 summit and maritime incidents like the Torrey Canyon oil spill legacy in regional practice. In the 21st century Devon and Cornwall Police engaged in major investigations that referenced national inquiries such as the Leveson Inquiry for conduct standards, and partnered with agencies like Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services for inspection regimes.
Organisation and governance
The force is led by a Chief Constable accountable to an elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall Police area. Governance connects to statutory frameworks including the Police Act 1996 and operates within oversight by the Home Secretary and auditing by National Audit Office standards. The strategic command structure comprises policing divisions aligned with unitary and district areas such as Plymouth City Council, Devon County Council, Cornwall Council, and the Isles of Scilly Council, and coordinates with regional bodies like Dorset Police and Avon and Somerset Police through collaboration agreements. Community safety partnerships include joint work with organisations such as the NHS England regional boards, Devon and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, and local voluntary groups including Royal National Lifeboat Institution stations.
Operations and policing areas
Operational responsibilities span urban policing in centres like Plymouth Hoe, Exeter Cathedral precincts, and St Ives tourist zones, rural crime management across the Moors and agricultural districts, and coastal and maritime patrols covering approaches to the English Channel and Celtic Sea. The force manages counter-terrorism liaison with the Counter Terrorism Policing network and supports national priorities via tasking from the National Police Chiefs' Council. Major event policing has included maritime festivals, concerts at venues such as Edinburgh Castle—through mutual aid frameworks—and policing of sporting events linked to clubs like Plymouth Argyle F.C. and regattas in Falmouth. Cross-border investigations have involved cooperation with international bodies such as Europol and bilateral work with the French National Police in Channel security operations.
Specialist units and capabilities
Specialist capabilities include a Roads Policing unit for high-speed incidents on routes like the A30 and M5, a Marine Unit working alongside the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and a Major Crime Unit handling homicide and serious organised crime often in partnership with the National Crime Agency. The force maintains specialist teams for Counter Terrorism Policing, Cyber Crime Unit liaison with the National Cyber Security Centre, Public Protection Units addressing safeguarding and domestic abuse, and tactical units including Armed Response Vehicles and an Operational Support Unit trained for public order and rural search. Forensic services collaborate with laboratories accredited under Forensic Science Service frameworks and link to national assets like the National DNA Database.
Workforce and workforce development
The workforce comprises sworn officers, PCSOs, police staff, special constables, and volunteers including cadet schemes and community support roles linked to organisations such as the St John Ambulance. Recruitment and training align with standards set by the College of Policing and include apprenticeships and the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship pathway alongside leadership development referencing frameworks from the National Policing Improvement Agency legacy. Workforce issues have involved negotiation with staff associations including the Police Federation of England and Wales and the Unison trade union for police staff, with attention to wellbeing, retention, and diversity initiatives reflecting regional demographics and statutory equality duties.
Facilities and resources
Key facilities include headquarters at Middlemoor, divisional stations in Plymouth, Exeter, Truro, and satellite offices across market towns such as Barnstaple and Saltash. The fleet includes marked and unmarked vehicles, marine vessels, and air support provided via national arrangements with NPAS (National Police Air Service). Communications and technology infrastructure ties into national networks like the Airwave system and digital programmes overseen by the Home Office Digital, Data and Technology directorate. Custody suites and evidence storage adhere to regulations shaped by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
Controversies and criticisms
The force has faced scrutiny and legal challenges over conduct, case investigations, and resource allocation, with public inquiries and media coverage involving outlets such as BBC News, The Guardian, and The Independent. Reviews by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services and audits by the National Audit Office have prompted reforms in areas like child protection, case file management, and transparency. Allegations and civil claims have involved issues overseen by the Independent Office for Police Conduct and employment disputes brought before employment tribunals, prompting governance responses from the Police and Crime Commissioner and operational changes following scrutiny from local MPs representing constituencies such as Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Exeter, and Truro and Falmouth.