Our Executive Team
Devon & Cornwall is led by the Executive and scrutinised by the PCC, Alison Hernandez.
Shaun Sawyer
Chief Constable
Paul Netherton
Deputy Chief Constable
Jim Colwell
Assistant Chief Constable
Jim Nye
Assistant Chief Constable
Jim Pearce
Assistant Chief Constable (Temp)
Glen Mayhew
Assistant Chief Constable (Temp)
Sandy Goscomb
Director of Finance
Alexis Poole
Assistant Chief Officer
Mike Stamp
Director of Legal
Shaun Sawyer
Chief Constable
Shaun Sawyer was appointed Chief Constable for Devon & Cornwall Police in February 2013.
Mr Sawyer has served within Specialist Operations (Counter Terrorism) and Territorial Policing. From 2005 to 2007 he was the Met Police lead for covert operations and intelligence combating serious and organised crime and terrorism. In 2008 he was appointed Head of Counter Terrorism within Scotland Yard with both national and international responsibilities. His current portfolios include being the national policing lead for the crime business area covering standards, training and competencies as well as modern slavery, organised immigration crime and migration related matters. He also leads the national initiative for police cadets.
The Chief Constable is the most senior police officer in Devon & Cornwall Police and is responsible for the delivery of operational policing. is accountable to the public and the PCC but is operationally independent and free from political interference. However the Chief Constable must perform their duties in a way that reasonably assists the PCC. Whilst the PCC appoints the Chief Constable, they are not their employer. The Chief Constable is a corporation sole and a servant of the Crown.
The Chief Constable has overall responsibility for the performance of Devon & Cornwall Police, its officers and staff and the use of police resources and finances.
Mr Sawyer has served within Specialist Operations (Counter Terrorism) and Territorial Policing. From 2005 to 2007 he was the Met Police lead for covert operations and intelligence combating serious and organised crime and terrorism. In 2008 he was appointed Head of Counter Terrorism within Scotland Yard with both national and international responsibilities. His current portfolios include being the national policing lead for the crime business area covering standards, training and competencies as well as modern slavery, organised immigration crime and migration related matters. He also leads the national initiative for police cadets.
The Chief Constable is the most senior police officer in Devon & Cornwall Police and is responsible for the delivery of operational policing. is accountable to the public and the PCC but is operationally independent and free from political interference. However the Chief Constable must perform their duties in a way that reasonably assists the PCC. Whilst the PCC appoints the Chief Constable, they are not their employer. The Chief Constable is a corporation sole and a servant of the Crown.
The Chief Constable has overall responsibility for the performance of Devon & Cornwall Police, its officers and staff and the use of police resources and finances.
Paul Netherton
Deputy Chief Constable
Paul Netherton began his police career in 1990 in Surrey Police working in various uniform and operational roles. He transferred to Hampshire Police in 2001 and worked in Portsmouth and North Hampshire as well as spending a year in the Home Office Performance and Standards unit. He joined Devon & Cornwall Police as Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) in April 2008 and became Deputy Chief Constable in May 2017.
As Deputy Chief Constable he is responsible for delivering policing performance across the 4,000 square miles of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. He is also responsible for managing the transformational change programme for the Police across Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset police forces.
Paul has a vast experience in operational policing and has led regionally and nationally on a range of issues including firearms, counter terrorism, public order policing, contingency planning and managing major events and incidents. He has dealt with numerous major events and incidents including major urban disorder, football matches, the Rugby World Cup and even the start of the Olympic Torch relay from Lands’ End in 2012.
He is the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for Civil Contingencies and also chairs the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This work involves co-ordinating the police involvement with partners and ensures guidance and good practice is promulgated throughout the country, providing assistance to Forces in planning and responding to major emergencies. This has included working with the United Nations, lecturing to Universities and on Senior Command Courses for both police and military and supporting police and other agencies during major crisis events. He has had to represent the police at Government COBR on a range of civil contingency issues from flooding to Ebola. He has also lead the civil contingency planning for the Police service in relation to the ‘no deal’ Brexit.
He is also the President of the national Christian Police Association (CPA) and works closely with Street Pastors and other faith organisations supporting the police. He is chair of the Police Sport UK Snow sports Section which does mean he manages to get away at least once a year to compete in the events in Austria.
As Deputy Chief Constable he is responsible for delivering policing performance across the 4,000 square miles of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. He is also responsible for managing the transformational change programme for the Police across Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset police forces.
Paul has a vast experience in operational policing and has led regionally and nationally on a range of issues including firearms, counter terrorism, public order policing, contingency planning and managing major events and incidents. He has dealt with numerous major events and incidents including major urban disorder, football matches, the Rugby World Cup and even the start of the Olympic Torch relay from Lands’ End in 2012.
He is the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for Civil Contingencies and also chairs the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This work involves co-ordinating the police involvement with partners and ensures guidance and good practice is promulgated throughout the country, providing assistance to Forces in planning and responding to major emergencies. This has included working with the United Nations, lecturing to Universities and on Senior Command Courses for both police and military and supporting police and other agencies during major crisis events. He has had to represent the police at Government COBR on a range of civil contingency issues from flooding to Ebola. He has also lead the civil contingency planning for the Police service in relation to the ‘no deal’ Brexit.
He is also the President of the national Christian Police Association (CPA) and works closely with Street Pastors and other faith organisations supporting the police. He is chair of the Police Sport UK Snow sports Section which does mean he manages to get away at least once a year to compete in the events in Austria.
Jim Colwell
Assistant Chief Constable
Jim joined the Force in 2001 at a age of 27 as a bobby on the beat in Plymouth after graduating from Leicester University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications and Sociology and a post-graduate Diploma in Security and Risk Management.
With extensive experience as a senior detective and one of the Force’s key investigating officers, he has a meticulous eye for detail and is proactive in driving a high quality policing service to the communities of Devon and Cornwall.
He is known for his thorough investigative skills and for leading investigations into high profile cases such as a fatal speedboat incident in Padstow, as well as coordinating the initial response to numerous major incidents including homicides and kidnaps across the Force.
He was promoted to Chief Superintendent in April 2016, where he took on the role of BCU Commander for Devon. He was then temporarily promoted to Assistant Chief Constable in January 2018, with responsibility for Local Policing and Connectivity. In July 2019 Jim was promoted to the substantive Assistant Chief Constable role, this time with responsibility for Innovation, Contact and Demand.
He has also specialised in leading the south west region in responding to modern slavery and human trafficking.
Jim was born in Manchester but spent his early childhood in West Africa, before returning to the UK at the age of eight years. He has a passion for running and football and has travelled extensively throughout the Caribbean, including negotiating the Panama Canal numerous times having worked on cruise ships in his youth. In his spare time he enjoys coaching youth football and chasing after his two young sons.
With extensive experience as a senior detective and one of the Force’s key investigating officers, he has a meticulous eye for detail and is proactive in driving a high quality policing service to the communities of Devon and Cornwall.
He is known for his thorough investigative skills and for leading investigations into high profile cases such as a fatal speedboat incident in Padstow, as well as coordinating the initial response to numerous major incidents including homicides and kidnaps across the Force.
He was promoted to Chief Superintendent in April 2016, where he took on the role of BCU Commander for Devon. He was then temporarily promoted to Assistant Chief Constable in January 2018, with responsibility for Local Policing and Connectivity. In July 2019 Jim was promoted to the substantive Assistant Chief Constable role, this time with responsibility for Innovation, Contact and Demand.
He has also specialised in leading the south west region in responding to modern slavery and human trafficking.
Jim was born in Manchester but spent his early childhood in West Africa, before returning to the UK at the age of eight years. He has a passion for running and football and has travelled extensively throughout the Caribbean, including negotiating the Panama Canal numerous times having worked on cruise ships in his youth. In his spare time he enjoys coaching youth football and chasing after his two young sons.
Jim Nye
Assistant Chief Constable
Jim has been in Devon & Cornwall Police for 25 years, having served in both counties and currently works closely with Dorset Police, as both forces move towards a merger. He leads on the strategic alliance between both forces and is charged with making sure the forces work together to improve delivery, resilience and flexibility, whilst saving money and improving efficiency.
He is also responsible for tri service collaboration with the fire service and ambulance service, and is also the lead for the police response mental health in crisis across the region. Finally Jim oversees the full upgrade of the force ICT infrastructure and public contact strategy.
Operationally Jim is a strategic firearms commander and a public order commander.
Away from Devon and Cornwall Police Jim is the chair of trustees for the road safety charity @HonestTruthUk; is a board member of @Active Devon and is chair of the UK seaport Police Commanders Group.
He is also responsible for tri service collaboration with the fire service and ambulance service, and is also the lead for the police response mental health in crisis across the region. Finally Jim oversees the full upgrade of the force ICT infrastructure and public contact strategy.
Operationally Jim is a strategic firearms commander and a public order commander.
Away from Devon and Cornwall Police Jim is the chair of trustees for the road safety charity @HonestTruthUk; is a board member of @Active Devon and is chair of the UK seaport Police Commanders Group.
Jim Pearce
Assistant Chief Constable (Temp)
Jim Pearce has worked in the police service for over 20 years, first working for Gloucester Police.
In 2000, he transferred to Devon & Cornwall Police and has worked across Devon, Cornwall and Plymouth during his career with the Force. He has been responsible for advising on and implementing of a number of projects across the Force, with a focus on policing within local communities. Jim is also a trained firearms and public order commander.
In 2016 he accepted the role of Commander for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, where he was responsible for the overall policing for Cornwall including responding to incidents, investigation and neighbourhood policing. He has also been a strong influence within the Workforce Planning arena, taking responsibility in assisting the shaping of our overall Workforce Design.
In February 2020 he continued the community theme by being appointed as Temporary Assistant Chief Constable for Local Policing & Prevention – overseeing aspects of neighbourhood policing, citizens in policing and public confidence to name a few.
In 2000, he transferred to Devon & Cornwall Police and has worked across Devon, Cornwall and Plymouth during his career with the Force. He has been responsible for advising on and implementing of a number of projects across the Force, with a focus on policing within local communities. Jim is also a trained firearms and public order commander.
In 2016 he accepted the role of Commander for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, where he was responsible for the overall policing for Cornwall including responding to incidents, investigation and neighbourhood policing. He has also been a strong influence within the Workforce Planning arena, taking responsibility in assisting the shaping of our overall Workforce Design.
In February 2020 he continued the community theme by being appointed as Temporary Assistant Chief Constable for Local Policing & Prevention – overseeing aspects of neighbourhood policing, citizens in policing and public confidence to name a few.
Glen Mayhew
Assistant Chief Constable (Temp)
Glen Mayhew has served his entire policing career within Devon & Cornwall Police, holding command roles in Partnership, BCU, Crime and Operations.
As Temporary ACC Operations he is responsible for the Force’s capability for operational policing, specifically including specialist capabilities and strategic policing requirements.
Glen is an experienced public order and firearms commander and is on the national cadre for specialist and high risk firearms operations.
Glen also remains an active Hostage and Crisis negotiator and is both Force and South West regional lead. He has previously been part of the internal cadre for hostage negotiation.
Within the region, Glen leads on firearms, public order and public safety, CBRNe, mobilisation and mutual aid and is the chair of the Local Resilience Forum (LRF).
He is the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) capability manager for Search & Rescue, which involves working with all agencies and volunteer groups in the UK to provide a land based search and rescue service.
Outside of work, Glen is an active surf lifeguard and is a board member on Surf Life Saving Great Britain.
As Temporary ACC Operations he is responsible for the Force’s capability for operational policing, specifically including specialist capabilities and strategic policing requirements.
Glen is an experienced public order and firearms commander and is on the national cadre for specialist and high risk firearms operations.
Glen also remains an active Hostage and Crisis negotiator and is both Force and South West regional lead. He has previously been part of the internal cadre for hostage negotiation.
Within the region, Glen leads on firearms, public order and public safety, CBRNe, mobilisation and mutual aid and is the chair of the Local Resilience Forum (LRF).
He is the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) capability manager for Search & Rescue, which involves working with all agencies and volunteer groups in the UK to provide a land based search and rescue service.
Outside of work, Glen is an active surf lifeguard and is a board member on Surf Life Saving Great Britain.
Sandy Goscomb
Director of Finance
Sandy Goscomb is the Director of Finance and Resources and has worked for Devon & Cornwall Police since August 2008.
Her responsibilities include overseeing the Force budget and ensuring proper financial administration and control of what is spent and received. In addition, she is the executive lead for ICT, the 1000 strong vehicle fleet, administration across the force and a four force regional procurement unit.
Sandy’s career has always been with policing, a service she is proud to work for. Prior to working for Devon & Cornwall Police, she was Head of Finance at Dorset Police.
Sandy is a qualified accountant and chartered secretary. She is married and lives in Devon.
Her responsibilities include overseeing the Force budget and ensuring proper financial administration and control of what is spent and received. In addition, she is the executive lead for ICT, the 1000 strong vehicle fleet, administration across the force and a four force regional procurement unit.
Sandy’s career has always been with policing, a service she is proud to work for. Prior to working for Devon & Cornwall Police, she was Head of Finance at Dorset Police.
Sandy is a qualified accountant and chartered secretary. She is married and lives in Devon.
Alexis Poole
Assistant Chief Officer
Alexis joined the Metropolitan Police as an Intelligence Analyst in 1999 having completed a law degree. Whilst in the Met she gained a Masters degree part time and worked on a knowledge sharing programme with the South African Police.
Seeking an opportunity to develop her research skills she joined the Police Research Group at the Home Office in 2003 as a Senior Research Officer. She worked on many projects including the evaluation of the National Reassurance Policing Project.
In 2005 she joined Devon & Cornwall Police as Principal Intelligence Analyst. She then became Head of Performance and Analysis, leading on performance management, strategic intelligence analysis, public, victim and staff consultation, Internal inspection, planning, and risk management.
She has led change programmes transforming support functions and approaches to responding to demand. She sat on the NPCC Performance Management Co-ordinating committee and was the NPCC representative for demand on the Home Office Technical Reference Group for the Funding Formula Review.
In 2018 she completed the Strategic Command Course.
In December 2019 Alexis took up the post of Assistant Chief Officer – People and is now the NPCC Lead for Neurodiversity.
Seeking an opportunity to develop her research skills she joined the Police Research Group at the Home Office in 2003 as a Senior Research Officer. She worked on many projects including the evaluation of the National Reassurance Policing Project.
In 2005 she joined Devon & Cornwall Police as Principal Intelligence Analyst. She then became Head of Performance and Analysis, leading on performance management, strategic intelligence analysis, public, victim and staff consultation, Internal inspection, planning, and risk management.
She has led change programmes transforming support functions and approaches to responding to demand. She sat on the NPCC Performance Management Co-ordinating committee and was the NPCC representative for demand on the Home Office Technical Reference Group for the Funding Formula Review.
In 2018 she completed the Strategic Command Course.
In December 2019 Alexis took up the post of Assistant Chief Officer – People and is now the NPCC Lead for Neurodiversity.
Mike Stamp
Director of Legal
Mike Stamp was appointed Director of Legal Services in September 2006, with his role developing into the Director of Legal, Reputation and Risk in 2015. His portfolio includes Legal Services in Devon, Cornwall and Dorset, and Information Management and Corporate Communications in Devon and Cornwall.
The Legal Services team provide legal advice and representation to both Forces and their Police and Crime Commissioners. Their work includes litigation (employment, civil, inquest, misconduct and judicial review), operations (civil preventative orders, licensing, public order) and general advice (duty advisor scheme for day to day legal queries, critical incident advice, and strategic advice). Members of the team regularly appear in a range of Courts to represent the interests of the Chief Constables and/or Police and Crime Commissioners.
Mike and his team regularly sit on Gold and Silver groups, which are responsible for the management of critical incidents.
As the member of the Executive with portfolio responsibility for Information Management, Mike holds the position of the Senior Information Responsible Officer on behalf of Devon and Cornwall and Dorset.
In addition, the Information Management department is responsible for Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Disclosure, Information Assurance and information sharing with partner agencies for both Devon and Cornwall and Dorset. The Alliance Information Management Department is also responsible for Records Management and Data Quality within Devon and Cornwall.
Mike also undertakes the role as Joint Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) for Devon and Cornwall and Dorset.
The Corporate Communications department covers internal and external communications including reputation management and digital media.
Mike sits on the national committee for the Association of Police Lawyers and chairs the Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Joint Ethics Committee and is also the co-chair of the South West Policing Regional Ethics Committee.
Mike is a qualified Solicitor, married with children and lives in Devon.
The Legal Services team provide legal advice and representation to both Forces and their Police and Crime Commissioners. Their work includes litigation (employment, civil, inquest, misconduct and judicial review), operations (civil preventative orders, licensing, public order) and general advice (duty advisor scheme for day to day legal queries, critical incident advice, and strategic advice). Members of the team regularly appear in a range of Courts to represent the interests of the Chief Constables and/or Police and Crime Commissioners.
Mike and his team regularly sit on Gold and Silver groups, which are responsible for the management of critical incidents.
As the member of the Executive with portfolio responsibility for Information Management, Mike holds the position of the Senior Information Responsible Officer on behalf of Devon and Cornwall and Dorset.
In addition, the Information Management department is responsible for Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Disclosure, Information Assurance and information sharing with partner agencies for both Devon and Cornwall and Dorset. The Alliance Information Management Department is also responsible for Records Management and Data Quality within Devon and Cornwall.
Mike also undertakes the role as Joint Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) for Devon and Cornwall and Dorset.
The Corporate Communications department covers internal and external communications including reputation management and digital media.
Mike sits on the national committee for the Association of Police Lawyers and chairs the Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Joint Ethics Committee and is also the co-chair of the South West Policing Regional Ethics Committee.
Mike is a qualified Solicitor, married with children and lives in Devon.