A police constable who accessed police systems after a family member was involved in a road traffic collision breached the standards of professional behaviour, a panel has found.
In April 2023 PC Suzanne Robinson accessed data relating to a collision between a car driven by a family member and another vehicle which was attempting to make off from police, during a pursuit.
This included viewing police dash camera footage relating to the collision.
PC Robinson accepted she accessed police systems and did not have a legitimate policing purpose for doing so. She added she did so out of concern for her family member and to assist with an insurance claim.
Her actions came to light when we looked into a complaint from a member of the public which was subsequently not upheld.
The panel presiding over the gross misconduct hearing at Police Headquarters on Thursday (25 September), found PC Robinson’s actions breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to Confidentiality and Discreditable Conduct and that these breaches amounted to gross misconduct. She was subsequently given a final written warning which will remain on her record for two years.
Deputy Chief Constable Katy Barrow-Grint said: “All police employees are aware they should only access police databases for legitimate policing purposes and in looking up details of the incident involving her family member, PC Robinson breached the trust placed in her by the public.
“The final outcome takes into consideration PC Robinson’s open and honest admissions, at the early stage and accepting responsibility for her actions, together with significant mitigating factors.”