Chief constable faces sex assault allegations

Will Kerr accused of misconduct

Devon and Cornwall chief constable Will Kerr is being investigated for alleged sexual offences in Northern Ireland, where he was based for nearly three decades.

The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland launched a criminal investigation on Friday 16 June into "serious allegations of sexual offences."

Mr Kerr, who joined the westcountry force just eight months ago, was suspended by police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez on Wednesday. It is not clear when Mr Kerr became aware of the allegations and he has not yet commented on the matter.

He is also being investigated separately in England by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over misconduct allegations.

Mr Kerr served with the PSNI and its predecessor the Royal Ulster Constabulary. He rose to the rank of assistant chief constable and later joined Police Scotland, where he became deputy chief constable.

The Northern Ireland force said it was aware of a Police Ombudsman criminal investigation and will support it where required. It won't give more details of the exact nature of the allegations against Mr Kerr.

An IOPC spokesperson said it had "decided to investigate allegations of misconduct" against Mr Kerr following a referral from Devon and Cornwall police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez.

The IOPC later said its investigation will consider whether Mr Kerr "may have breached police professional standards relating to serious criminal allegations currently under investigation by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland".

It added: "We are also investigating whether inaccurate information may have been provided as part of a previous vetting process."

Ian Drysdale, vice chairman of the Chief Police Officers Staff Association (CPOSA), said Mr Kerr was suspended as part of "an ongoing inquiry into legacy misconduct matters for which he is yet to be interviewed".

"Chief Constable Kerr recognises and respects the fact that accountability and due process are vital to any investigation, regardless of rank or position," he added.

"He will continue to cooperate with any investigation and hopes that all matters are expedited so that they can be concluded without further delay."