Deputy Chief Constable Jim Colwell

Deputy Chief Constable Jim Colwell MBA CMgr MCMI

Jim was born in Manchester but spent his early childhood in West Africa, before returning to the UK at the age of eight years.  Having worked on cruise ships in his youth he has travelled extensively throughout the Caribbean including negotiating the Panama Canal numerous times.

Jim joined the Force in 2001 at the 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. He has subsequently been awarded an MBA from Exeter University. 

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 was promoted to Chief Superintendent in April 2016, when 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 substantive Assistant Chief Constable with responsibility for Innovation, Contact and Demand.

From October 2019, Jim was responsible for the Vulnerability and Crime portfolio incorporating vulnerability, criminal justice and custody, intelligence, public protection, covert authorities, major crime investigation and serious organised crime. He led the south-west region in responding to modern slavery, human trafficking and organised immigration crime and co-chaired the Regional Vulnerability Strategic Governance Group.

In July 2021, he was promoted to Deputy Chief Constable and since then has also undertaken the role of both temporary and acting Chief Constable.

As Deputy Chief Constable, Jim is Chief Operating Officer, 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 and Cornwall and Dorset police forces.