A retired Devon and Cornwall Police officer who gave evidence at the inquest into the Keyham shootings has been cleared of gross misconduct following a hearing - but police watchdogs continue to investigate the Chief Constable's office.
A number of officers were called to give evidence at the five week long inquest held in early 2023 into the deaths of five people, and serious injury of two adults, at the hands of Jake Davison, on August 12, 2021.
The apprentice crane operator killed his mother Maxine Davison, 51, as well as Stephen Washington, 59, three-year-old Sophie Martyn, her father, Lee, 43, and Kate Shepherd, 66, in Keyham, using a licenced pump-action shotgun. Davison took his own life on the same day.
In August 2023 the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed it had launched a criminal investigation into breaches of health and safety legislation and evidence given at the Keyham inquest. As a result, Devon and Cornwall Police said it suspended two members of its force who had been informed by the IOPC they were being "criminally investigated". The watchdog also confirmed it had "served the two individuals with gross misconduct notices".
The IOPC later confirmed it had completed its investigation into a police officer - who by this time had retired - regarding evidence given at the Keyham inquest. The watchdog recommended to Devon and Cornwall Police that the officer should attend a disciplinary hearing to over allegations of gross misconduct, stating they may have breached standards of professional behaviour.
In addition, the IOPC said it had sent a file to the Crown Prosecution Service - who had decided to not bring criminal proceedings against the officer.
Plymouth Live has learned that a misconduct hearing was carried out and Devon and Cornwall Police cleared the retired officers.
An IOPC spokesperson said: "In October 2025, a misconduct hearing was held for a retired Devon and Cornwall Police officer, following an IOPC investigation, which related to evidence the officer gave at the Keyham shootings inquest.”
"The gross misconduct allegations concerned potential breaches of standards of professional behaviour for honesty and integrity, conduct, and duties and responsibilities. The allegations were found not proven."
However, the watchdog has said its inquiries into matters prior to the shooting are continuing.
The IOPC spokesperson said: "Our investigation into the Office of the Chief Constable for Devon and Cornwall Police for possible breaches of health and safety legislation about the management of the Firearms and Explosives Licensing Department prior to the Keyham shootings remains ongoing, as does our investigation into allegations against a member of staff from the unit.”
"They remain under criminal and gross misconduct investigation, but this does not mean that any proceedings will necessarily follow.”
"It has taken a substantial period of time to obtain and review a large amount of documentation from Devon and Cornwall Police, resulting in a detailed series of questions, requiring answers from the force.”
"Once we receive a response to our questions, we can then start bringing our investigation to a conclusion. We are also consulting with a firearms expert from the College of Policing.”
"We are committed to drawing the investigations to a close, as soon as we can."
The jury at the five week inquest into the unlawful killings in Keyham concluded that there had been "catastrophic failures" at Devon and Cornwall Police, with the force's Firearms Explosives Licensing Unit (FELU) coming in for fierce criticism - and the Home Office and other organisations also given strong words.
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