A Metropolitan Police officer has been dismissed without notice following an accelerated misconduct hearing held on 25 July 2024. He was found to have committed gross misconduct by misusing police systems to access private information for personal reasons.
PC Lee Wilkinson, previously attached to the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS), was found to have accessed confidential police databases to obtain personal information about a woman he met through a Facebook dating app. He then used the information—including her address, banking provider, mortgage details, and names of her family members—to contact and intimidate her under a false identity.
The misconduct hearing, chaired in PC Wilkinson’s absence, heard that the incident began in February 2023 when the officer engaged in online conversations with the woman, referred to as “Miss A.” Initially using a fake profile, Wilkinson eventually revealed his real name and admitted to being a police officer with access to sensitive databases. He bragged about conducting a “five-minute profile” on her using his policing credentials.
Miss A raised concerns to Kent Police in March 2024 after becoming alarmed by Wilkinson’s knowledge of her private life. Kent Police referred the case to the Met, which launched a full investigation. A forensic audit of Wilkinson’s work computer revealed he had accessed Miss A’s information multiple times between February and March 2024, including through the Police National Computer (PNC) and other intelligence systems.
The misconduct panel, led by an independent legally qualified chair, ruled that Wilkinson’s behaviour constituted a serious breach of police standards, specifically relating to Discreditable Conduct and Confidentiality.
In determining the outcome, the chair noted Wilkinson’s high level of culpability, significant harm caused to the victim, and aggravating factors, including his senior role in the DPS—the unit responsible for holding other officers to account.
“Over and above the standards expected of all officers, those tasked with enforcing conduct must hold themselves to the highest standards,” the chair said. “The public would rightly expect us to treat such behaviour with the utmost seriousness.”
There were no mitigating factors presented on Wilkinson’s behalf. He did not attend the hearing, and had attempted to resign from the Met the day prior. However, it was ruled that he remained a serving officer at the time and was therefore subject to the misconduct process.
The panel concluded that dismissal without notice was the only appropriate outcome.
A Met Police spokesperson added: “This officer’s conduct fell significantly short of the standards expected. The misuse of confidential information is not only a breach of trust but risks undermining public confidence in policing.”
Wilkinson will now also be placed on the College of Policing Barred List, preventing him from working in law enforcement roles across the UK.
Miss A was said to have suffered significant emotional distress due to the violation of her privacy, with the panel acknowledging the long-term impact of the officer’s actions.
