A police officer who faced misconduct allegations after failing to "properly record and store" suspected drugs has been sacked for accessing intelligence systems inappropriately. North Wales PC Gavin Griffiths searched for intelligence on someone with no "policing purpose" and his links to that person "could have led to a conflict of interest".
An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) spokeswoman said: "It was alleged that between July 2021 and April 2022 PC Griffiths maintained an association with a person in respect of whom he had viewed information and intelligence on North Wales Police systems and continued to do so, on one occasion, without a policing purpose, and failed to register a ‘notifiable association’ with the force’s professional standards department."
On two occasions PC Griffiths failed to "properly record and store" exhibits which were suspected to be Class A and Class B drugs. He also once "dishonestly entered incorrect details about their disposal", said the spokeswoman.
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The force started investigating PC Griffiths last July under the direction of the IOPC. The probe found he had "a case to answer for gross misconduct". A disciplinary panel with an independent and legally qualified chair then concluded the officer had breached standards of professional behaviour on integrity, duties and responsibilities.
The IOPC spokeswoman said: "While the panel found no evidence that any information viewed had been used for any improper purpose, they determined that gross misconduct was proven for the officer viewing intelligence systems over a period of months without a policing purpose. The lower level of misconduct was also proven against PC Griffiths for not properly managing the storage and exhibiting of seized property."
PC Griffiths has been placed on the police barred list. IOPC director of major investigations Steve Noonan said: “Police officers understand that the public rightly expect the highest standards of behaviour to be maintained. Officers should always act with integrity and avoid placing themselves in any situations where their position might be compromised. This officer should have notified his force of his association with an individual which could have led to a conflict of interest. PC Griffiths’ conduct had the potential to discredit the police service and undermine public confidence in policing.”
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