Unauthorised access to computer material - North Yorkshire Police, November 2022

An investigation, carried out by North Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Department under our direction, began in November 2022 following a referral from the force.

The investigation found that between April and November 2021, an officer made unlawful searches on a police database to access information about people known to her without a policing purpose and information derived from these searches were provided to third parties.

We concluded the officer had breached North Yorkshire Police policy by accessing its computer systems for a non-policing purpose. 

She abused the trust put in her and her actions have the potential to damage the public’s confidence in policing.

On conclusion of the investigation in March 2023, a file of evidence was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charges.

The former Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) who made unauthorised searches on police computer systems was sentenced at Scarborough Magistrates Court in December 2023 and received a 12-month community order to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work. She was also fined £85 and ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge.

She had pleaded guilty at York Magistrates’ Court in November 2023 to seven charges under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.

We also found the former officer had a case to answer for gross misconduct for alleged breaches of the police staff standards of professional behaviour with respect to discreditable conduct and confidentiality. 

We carefully considered whether there were any learning opportunities arising from the investigation. We make learning recommendations to improve policing and public confidence in the police complaints system, and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. 

In this case, the investigation has not identified any learning.