Devon and Cornwall senior officer cleared of gross misconduct
Future misconduct hearing
The IOPC said of its investigation: "Overall we found no evidence to determine any gross misconduct, or any breach of professional standards for honesty and integrity."We did decide, the now deputy chief constable, has a case to answer for misconduct in respect of a potential breach of the force's notifiable associations policy."In our opinion there was sufficient evidence upon which a reasonable misconduct tribunal could find that his actions breached standards of professional behaviour for order and instructions, and conduct."In this regard, it said a future misconduct hearing was to be arranged by the chief constable of Essex Police, as the delegated authority, "to determine whether misconduct is proven and any outcome".
'Moved swiftly'
Devon and Cornwall Police said Mr Colwell's suspension had been lifted with immediate effect, but he would not return to normal duties until the conclusion of a further misconduct process.The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner said it was pleased the IOPC had "moved swiftly to undertake their part of the investigation".It added: "The matter will now progress through the police misconduct processes within Devon & Cornwall Police. "It is now for the chief constable to oversee these processes."
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