Shaun Sawyer

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Shaun Sawyer
Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police
In office
February 2013 – 2022
DeputyJim Colwell
Preceded byStephen Otter
Succeeded byWill Kerr
Personal details
OccupationPolice officer

Shaun Sawyer QPM was the chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police until 2022, having been appointed in February 2013 to succeed Stephen Otter.[1][2]

Sawyer began his police career in 1986, as a uniformed constable in London.[3] His Metropolitan Police roles included being in charge of their investigation into the 1999 Ladbroke Grove rail disaster, and being head of counter-terrorism.[2]

He is the National Police Chiefs' Council's lead officer for modern slavery.[4]

His salary on appointment as chief constable was £151,000.[2] He had previously served as acting chief constable, having been deputy chief constable since April 2010.[2]

In his capacity as Chief Constable, Sawyer was a named defendant in a civil case brought by a rape victim whose name and address had been published by Devon and Cornwall Police. The force admitted liability and paid compensation and costs running to six figures (pounds sterling), but refused a request from the victim for a meeting with and apology from Sawyer.[5]

Sawyer has a son and two daughters.[3]

Honours[edit]

Sawyer was awarded the Queen's Police Medal (QPM) in the 2019 New Years Honours List.[6]


Ribbon Description Notes
Queen's Police Medal (QPM)
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
  • 2002
  • UK Version of this Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
  • 2012
  • UK Version of this Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal
  • 2022
  • UK Version of this Medal
Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Chief Constable – Shaun Sawyer". Devon and Cornwall Police. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "Shaun Sawyer to become Devon and Cornwall police chief". BBC News. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Sawyer, Shaun". Serious & Organised Crime Exchange. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  4. ^ Sawyer, Shaun. "Police Chiefs' Blog: CC Shaun Sawyer on Modern Slavery". NPCC. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Rape victim sues police for naming her online". BBC News. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  6. ^ "No. 62507". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 2018. p. N34.
Police appointments
Preceded by Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police
2013–2022
Succeeded by