Former police officer who used police computer to check relatives would of been sacked

A former police constable would have been dismissed had she still been serving, a Special Case misconduct hearing has concluded. On Wednesday (19/6), a hearing was chaired by the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police John Campbell at Headquarters South in Oxford Road, Kidlington. The hearing concluded that former PC Marguerite Pope breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of Discreditable Conduct relating to misuse of Thames Valley Police IT systems between 12 June 2018 and 12 January 2019. It had been alleged that former PC Pope accessed information and a number of records other than for a policing purpose, and no reasons were given for carrying out these checks. It was identified that former PC Pope had accessed two systems and carried out checks without a lawful policing purpose between 11 January and 12 January 2019. Following a further review, it was identified that between 12 June 2018 and 12 January 2019, former PC Pope accessed further information and records without a policing purpose. Former PC Pope admitted to carrying out 21 unlawful checks. The hearing concluded that former PC Pope’s actions amounted to Gross Misconduct and had she not already resigned, she would have been dismissed. The force will also submit her details to be placed on the College of Policing’s barred list. Deputy Chief Constable Jason Hogg said: “The behaviour of this officer was far below that expected from Thames Valley Police. “Former PC Pope behaved in a manner that was likely to bring discredit on the police service, and had she not already resigned, she would have been dismissed with immediate effect.”

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