Will Kerr Cleared of Charges by Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service
Will Kerr, the former chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police and previously an officer with Police Scotland, will not face prosecution following accusations of sexual offenses.
Kerr, who is currently on suspension, has served in notable positions such as assistant chief constable with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and deputy chief constable at Police Scotland.
Prior to his role in Devon and Cornwall, Kerr had spent 27 years with the PSNI and later transitioned to Police Scotland before his appointment in Devon and Cornwall Police in December 2022.
His career faced a significant hurdle in 2023 when he was suspended due to investigations triggered by allegations of sexual offenses.
The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in Northern Ireland additionally stated that Kerr would not be prosecuted concerning an accusation of misconduct in public office.
Alison Hernandez, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, mentioned that the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) would continue its investigation into the misconduct allegations against Kerr.
Despite vehemently denying any wrongdoing, Kerr was subject to investigations by both the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (PONI) and the IOPC.
The case, initially handled by the ombudsman, was forwarded to the PPS, which recently confirmed the decision not to prosecute. The PPS explained that the decision was made after a detailed assessment by a team of prosecutors, who consulted with independent senior counsel.
A PPS representative underscored the rigorous standards required for criminal prosecution, noting that the evidence must sufficiently support a reasonable prospect of conviction, a threshold not met in Kerr’s case. All relevant parties have been briefed about this decision, ensuring transparency in the prosecutorial process.
The Police Ombudsman conveyed that a thorough investigation was conducted before submitting a substantial file to the PPS. The decision not to prosecute will be reviewed once the detailed reasoning behind it is disclosed by the PPS.
In the interim, Devon and Cornwall Police is under the leadership of James Vaughan. Following Kerr’s suspension, Jim Colwell temporarily filled the chief constable role, but was also suspended in November due to an investigation into alleged misuse of his work mobile for personal communications.
Hernandez expressed relief that Kerr is no longer under criminal investigation, noting the prolonged duration of the process and its impact on Kerr and his family. She awaits further guidance from the IOPC regarding any remaining matters of misconduct.
An IOPC spokesperson acknowledged the PPS’s decision and indicated that their investigation into the misconduct allegations against Kerr would be resumed.
Hi, I’m Benjamin, a member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a passion for writing and a deep interest in current affairs, I thoroughly enjoy bringing you the latest news and trends that affect our daily lives.
