‘Exceptional leader’ selected as preferred candidate for next chief constable

Police and crime commissioner (PCC) Alison Hernandez said Mr Kerr was an “exceptional strategic leader” with a “clear pride and passion for the job”.

Devon and Cornwall PCC said Mr Kerr was chosen for the force’s most senior post after two days of interviews at the force’s Middlemoor headquarters.

Before joining Police Scotland, Mr Kerr spent over 27 years in the Police Service of Northern Ireland, where he held a number of command-level posts, including assistant chief constable Belfast and assistant chief constable Crime and Operations.

He joined the National Crime Agency in 2017 where, as director, he was national lead for coordinating the UK’s domestic and international response to child sexual abuse and exploitation, modern slavery, human trafficking and organised immigration crime.

Mr Kerr, who was appointed OBE in 2015, joined Police Scotland in 2018 as deputy chief constable for Local Policing. There his responsibilities include partnerships, prevention and community wellbeing and criminal justice.

During the recruitment process, which was supported by the College of Policing, candidates were questioned by community stakeholder panels, internal stakeholder panels and a final interview panel made up of senior leaders from across Devon and Cornwall, said Ms Hernandez.

The appointment will be subject to a confirmation hearing of the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel, due to be held on Friday, September 16.

Ms Hernandez said: “We had a strong field of applicants with a proven track record as outstanding leaders who put themselves forward for this post.

“In Will we were presented with someone who was not only an exceptional strategic leader, but someone who was able to clearly articulate how he would use this leadership to develop a police force that worked hand in glove with our residents and partners to tackle crime and protect the most vulnerable in society.

“His clear pride and passion for the job and the high standards he holds himself and others to shone through.

“I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all of those who took the time to apply for the role and to the partners, police officers, police volunteers and police staff who gave their time to help inform my decision.”

The post of chief constable was made vacant by the retirement of Shaun Sawyer QPM last month. T/Chief Constable Jim Colwell is leading Devon and Cornwall Police in the interim period.

Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone QPM said: “Will has been an outstanding leader of local policing in Scotland. I am deeply grateful for all he has done for the Service and our fellow citizens during the last four years.

“Will has been instrumental in driving localism and our response to the pandemic and COP26.

“Strong relationships and cooperation across UK policing are vital to protecting the people of Scotland. I look forward to continuing to work with Will in his new role as a fellow chief constable.”