Abuse of power

faye6174

I have no idea where to post this and it's not strictly a moneysaving question so feel free to move/delete.

Can anyone tell me what the penalties are for a Policeperson who abuses the Police National Computer and gives details from it to a third party?

I am sure it is not allowed.

Thank you

Ivrytwr3

Penalties? Disciplined/sacked; it's a serious offence. Whenever a PNC is carried out the details are all logged ie requester, operator, time, date etc and are subject to a % audit.

Can you give us some more info? ie can you prove the PNC was an unlawful misuse? Can you prove the info was given unlawfully to another?

McKneff

Sacked, and so they should be IMHO

jillymit

This would be a breach of the data protection act and would be considered very a serious matter by the the police service.
It would however be difficult to prove if you have no firm evidence of the offence.
If this data concerns your personal information you might like to write to the independent police complaints commission.
have a look at this

www.ipcc.gov.uk/htmac_easy_read_version.pfd

HTH

Edit. the link's a bit iffy try this http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:ePv5-CqJ61EJ:www.ipcc.gov.uk/htmac_easy_read_version.pdf+how+to+complain+police+service&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk

faye6174

Somebody knows something they absolutely should not. No way they could know it other than having somebody look it up for them.

jillymit

I'll get in before the abuse starts on here.
The question is, is this information already 'public' or is this a breach of confidentiality.
You could try Citizens Advice Bureau to find out.

faye6174

Thanks jilly,

I have edited my previous as i expect you are right. And as i am posting on someone's behalf i am not prepared to take it.

Thank you everyone for the answers given, i have my answer.

Pssst

Be careful before you make official complaints. you could be wrong. Would a person in that position take the risk of losing his/her job and being prosecuted?

Tolcarne

The information given out may not have come from the Police National Computer, it could be that the 'other' person was in the charge room at the time or had something to do with the case papers. If it was a breach of information gained from the PNC then that is a sackable offence - on the other hand it could be a 'breach of confidentiality' as previously mentioned, which in my experience is a discipline matter, which if proved could result in 'words of advice', fine, or at the top of the range 'required to resign'.

KellyWelly

Phone the data protection team for your local police force. They are not police officers and will look into it for you.