An Avon and Somerset Police officer who misused the force’s computer database to check their records, those of colleagues and others and then lied about it to superiors has been dismissed without notice.
A hearing held at the force's HQ in Portishead yesterday (April 4) found the allegations of gross misconduct proven. The constable, referred to as PC F, faced the misconduct hearing after being accused of breaching the police standards of professional behaviour.
PC F breached the standards of honesty and integrity, orders and instructions, confidentiality and discreditable conduct. An initial notice said that PC F had been granted anonymity, but that the reasons for that could not be disclosed.
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Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement today: "The allegations related to the officer accessing information on police computer systems for non-policing purposes.
"On numerous occasions between February 26, 2021 and July 12, 2021, PC F used police computer systems to search for their own name and address, and for records relating to colleagues and other people. When questioned about the allegations in November 2021, the officer gave a dishonest response."
Supt Jane Wigmore, head of Professional Standards, said: “Police systems hold a great deal of sensitive information and there is a public expectation and a legal requirement to treat this material with respect and in the strictest confidence.
“Public confidence in how police handle private information has been impacted as a result of this case. PC F was given clear guidelines during training that accessing this information without a legitimate policing purpose is an abuse of an officer’s position.
“The misconduct hearing panel, led by an independent Legally Qualified Chair, have listened to all the evidence and found allegations of gross misconduct were proven and have decided the sanction should be dismissal without notice.”
