Officers ‘abuse’ access to confidential databases

More than 200 officers received a criminal conviction in recent years for breaching the Data Protection Act (DPA), according to a leading privacy and protecting liberties organisation.

Big Brother Watch published its report – Police databases – last week in which it claimed that between 2007 and 2010, among more than 200 criminal convictions, 98 police officers and staff had their employment terminated for breaching data protection laws, while 904 were subjected to internal disciplinary procedures.

Other key findings include:

•In Merseyside alone, 208 officers and police staff received criminal convictions for breaching the DPA since 2007;

•The areas with the largest number of officers and police staff who had their employment terminated for DPA breaches since 2007 were: Kent – ten, Merseyside – seven, West Midlands – seven, Northumbria – six, Derbyshire – five and Humberside – five.

•The areas with the largest number of officers and police staff subjected to internal disciplinary procedures for DPA breaches since 2007 were: Merseyside – 208, West Midlands – 83, Humberside – 62, South Yorkshire – 42, and Northumbria – 39.

•The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) terminated the employment of two police officers and one staff and conducted a total of nine internal disciplinary measures.

Daniel Hamilton, director of Big Brother Watch, said: “It’s astonishing to think that 904 police officers and support staff across England have faced disciplinary action for abusing their access to confidential systems – 243 have received criminal convictions for their actions, while 98 have lost their jobs.

“Our investigation shows that not only have police employees been found to have run background records checks on friends and possible partners, but some have been convicted for passing sensitive information to criminal gangs and drug dealers. This is at best hugely intrusive and at worse, downright dangerous.

“Police forces must adopt a zero tolerance approach to this kind of behaviour. Those found guilty of abusing their position should be sacked on the spot.”

However, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) said if officers and/or staff are found to be in breach of DPA laws, action will always be taken.

An ACPO spokesperson said: “All officers are subject to the standards of professional behaviour set out in the Police Conduct Regulations. These regulations are very clear and state that police officers must be honest, act with integrity and do not compromise or abuse their position. Officers hold a position of trust, with privileged access to data and systems, and they have a positive duty to demonstrate that trust to the communities we serve.

“When an officer’s conduct, on duty or off duty, falls below the standards, there will be an investigation into what has occurred and if the allegation is proven then appropriate action will be taken.”