Once again last week I found myself in the position where I had to fulfil my duty to suspend Devon & Cornwall Police’s chief officer.
Acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell is under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and the suspension, which is a neutral act, enables a thorough and independent inquiry to take place.
With the substantive Chief Constable, Will Kerr OBE KPM suspended in 2023 while a lengthy inquiry into allegations about him draws on, A/CC Colwell’s suspension once again leaves the force with a leadership gap. Addressing this is my top priority.
However, tackling crime does not stop for anyone or anything, so it was ‘business as usual’ for me on Friday when I headed to Truro to meet the newest Tri Service Safety Officers (TSSO) to complete their training, in an event to mark a decade since the first such officer reported to duty in Hayle, Cornwall.
Working in collaboration with Devon & Cornwall Police (DCP), Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS), South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) and Cornwall Council’s antisocial behaviour team, TSSOs help protect Cornish communities and respond to emergency incidents.
With the addition of five new recruits who officially passed out at the event, there are now 15 TSSOs working in communities across the county, and one in Devon (Holsworthy) for the first time.
The officers, who wear grey uniforms while on duty, respond to 999 emergency calls as a firefighter on behalf of Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS), and a Community First Responder on behalf of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT).
They also deal with non-immediate Devon & Cornwall Police community safety matters and work alongside Cornwall Council’s antisocial behaviour team to manage issues within the communities they serve.
The scheme is a fabulous example of innovation and collaboration. If we want to prevent harm and keep people healthy then working together between organisations in this way is a great solution.
Friday’s event heard how these officers had saved lives using first aid skills and when now responding to emergencies were able to work on fire and crime prevention projects in their communities.
It was brilliantly hosted by the High Sheriff of Cornwall Sam Galsworthy, who generously made his home available for the event. The High Sheriff is an ardent supporter of TSSOs, having spent hours understanding the role and the benefits it brings to communities.
He and I have been so impressed with the way leaders in police, NHS and fire have worked together on this project for the past decade and the calibre and enthusiasm of the individuals who have passed out as TSSOs.
Because the role is relatively new, it can take a while for communities to understand the benefits they bring, but once they have met the officers the reception from communities who have benefitted from a TSSO has been amazing.
I’d like to see these officers deployed around Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and support significant expansion of the role.
And I hope that our new Home Secretary who is interested in exploring tactics to deliver efficient services will take note of a successful programme in the South West which, all of those in attendance on Friday agreed should be applied around the country.
Yes, last week was one of the more challenging in my tenure, but the uplifting TSSO event was a timely reminder that across our force area there are many thousands of emergency service officers for whom the challenge of building safer communities, with public service ethos informing their every move, never stops.