Chief Officer Group (COG)
The Chief Constable - Stephen Otter
The Chief Officers Group is made up of the following senior members of staff - all of whom are answerable directly to the Chief Constable Stephen Otter
Chief Constable
Stephen Otter became Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary in January 2007. He joined the Force from Avon and Somerset Constabulary, where he was Deputy Chief Constable. His previous career was spent at Thames Valley Police, the Royal Hong Kong Police and the Metropolitan Police. He is the Association of Chief Police Officers’ (ACPO) lead on equality and diversity.
“Part of my role is to put together a top class Chief Officers’ Group,” said Mr Otter. “I am very proud of the team we have put together. This dynamic and highly capable team of chief officers is leading the Constabulary to becoming a top 10 performing Force, delivering excellent services across all areas of policing so that the people of Devon and Cornwall are safer and feel safer.”
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Deputy Chief Constable (DCC) Shaun Sawyer
Shaun Sawyer joined Devon and Cornwall Constabulary as Deputy Chief Constable in April 2010.
His main areas of responsibility include South West Regional Collaboration, Performance and Analysis, Business Improvement, Corporate Communications, ICT Service Management, Force Programme Management and Chief Officer Group Support.
Mr Sawyer began his police career in 1986, initially serving as a uniform officer within central London. During his career he has worked within Local Policing, Specialist Crime, Specialist Operations and Professional Standards.
In 2005 he was appointed Commander within the Metropolitan Police Service and led for Covert Operations and Intelligence. In 2007 he was appointed as lead for Violent Crime and Geographic Policing within the South West of London. In 2008 he was appointed as Head of Counter Terrorism at Scotland Yard.
"I’m extremely pleased and honoured to be appointed as Deputy Chief Constable with Devon and Cornwall Police. I’m greatly looking forward to the challenge of delivering our vision to be a top performing force and working and living in such a fantastic part of the country. Devon and Cornwall remains one of the safest places in the country and I’m committed to continue making people feel safe in their communities.”
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Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) – Operational Response (OR)
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Netherton joined Devon & Cornwall Constabulary in April 2008.
As ACC Operational Response he is responsible for delivering response policing and protective services across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This includes responsibility for firearms, contingency planning and roads policing. Also within his portfolio he has responsibility for Professional Standards Department and command and control.
Mr Netherton joined Surrey Police in 1990 having obtained a BSc Hons degree at Southampton University. He worked throughout Surrey in a range of operational and strategic posts. He transferred to Hampshire as a superintendent in 2001 and was posted to Portsmouth. In 2002 he was posted as a chief superintendent to the Police Standards Unit in the Home Office. Mr Netherton then returned to Hampshire as the police commander for Basingstoke and in April 2006 he became the chief superintendent in charge of policing in the North East of Hampshire.
He is married with two young children.
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Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) – Local Policing and Partnership (LPP)
Sharon Taylor was appointed as Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) for Devon and Cornwall in April 2008 and is currently responsible for Local Policing and Partnerships (LPP).
She is responsible for all Neighbourhood Beat Managers, Neighbourhood Team Leaders, Local Policing Support Teams, Police Community Support Officers, all Local Policing Area Commanders, LPP Geographic Chief Superintendents, Specials and Volunteers as well as the Local Policing Department.
Sharon joined the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) after graduating with the University of Lancaster. During her 23 years service with the MDP she had a wide range of experience and has been operational at every level of her service. She has been a Divisional Commander, Head of Divisional Operations, worked with HMIC on BCU inspections, Head of Professional Standards and also has staff officer and training experience.
She was then appointed as temporary ACC in 2004 and successfully completed the Strategic Command Course in 2005.
She came to Devon and Cornwall Police as Temporary ACC in June 2007 assuming the portfolio as ACC Citizen Focus. On appointment as ACC in 2008 she took over the Business Change portfolio before assuming responsibility for Criminal Justice and Professional Standards in 2009.
Sharon is the first person in the history of the MDP to achieve the rank of ACC with another force.
Sharon lives in Mid Devon with her husband and two teenage boys.
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Temporary Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) – Crime and Criminal Justice
Russ Middleton joined Devon and Cornwall Constabulary in January 1988.
As ACC Crime and Criminal Justice, his portfolio includes Local Investigation and CID, Major Crime, Serious and Organised Crime, Scientific Services, Public Protection, Intelligence Directorate, Force Authorities, Custody and Criminal Justice.
Russ has served as a detective in all ranks and has also held various uniformed operational roles throughout his service. He was promoted to Superintendent in 2004 and served as the Head of Professional Standards, followed by Operational Superintendent in Plymouth for two years. He later took on the roles of Head of Major Crime and Serious Organised Crime for the Force. In 2009 Russ was promoted to Detective Chief Superintendent as Commander of Crime Department.
Russ was temporarily promoted to ACC in October 2011. He lives in South Devon with his wife and family.
Director of Finance and Resources
Sandy Goscomb is responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective use of resources. This includes responsibility for financial planning and control, for purchasing and for the management of buildings and land.
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Director of Human Resources 
Chris Haselden was appointed Director of Human Resources in June 2007.
His responsibilities include the recruitment and retention of officers and staff, employment terms and conditions, employee relations, learning and development, occupational health, health and safety, the provision of people information and employee engagement
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Director of Legal Services
Mike Stamp was appointed Director of Legal Services in September 2006.
The key areas of his portfolio cover employment law, operational policing law, the management of police information, police misconduct, coroner’s inquests, licensing and advising on real time operations.