Source · HMICFRS

PEEL 2025–27: An inspection of Devon and Cornwall Police

3 June 2026 PEEL Force Inspection 24 areas for improvement

Applicable forces

Areas for improvement

AFI The force needs to show it considers, analyses and evaluates changes to its processes, policies and procedures Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to make sure that when officers use force, they record the incidents effectively Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to make sure it collects accurate data to allow it to understand how fairly it is using stop and search Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to better understand and do more to reduce its disproportionate use of stop and search Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force should make sure its supervisors regularly review how officers are using stop and search and use of force powers Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to improve how it manages abstractions to make sure its neighbourhood policing officers can fulfil their roles Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to attend calls for service in line with its published target attendance times Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force should make sure it assesses ongoing risk when incidents are allocated to other departments Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force should make sure that the control room has sufficient oversight of incidents that are held in other areas of the force Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force should make sure that crimes are allocated to appropriately skilled investigators Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to consistently achieve appropriate outcomes for victims Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to improve its leadership standards, behaviour and culture to make sure its workforce feels valued Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to improve how it records rapes and crimes committed against victims of domestic abuse Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to effectively manage the preventative orders it applies for Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to protect its communities from the risk of fraud Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to provide effective training for all investigators and call takers and to continuously evaluate its capability to respond to and investigate fraud Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to record fraud in line with national guidance to prevent unnecessary demand Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to improve its operating model to make sure it uses resources effectively and promotes collaborative working Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force should make sure that its leaders are accountable and understand their roles Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to improve its understanding of how continuing professional development supports its workforce by developing an effective evaluation process Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to invest in its professional development review process to make sure that its workforce understands the value of recording personal development Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to communicate better with members of its workforce and act on information and feedback to improve their well-being Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to understand why officers and staff may want to leave Devon and Cornwall Police

AFI The force needs to make sure that officers complete safeguarding referrals for children when they have stopped and searched or used force against them Devon and Cornwall Police