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Daily Archives: 3rd January 2020
- Former Derbyshire police call handlers jailed after abusing access to sensitive information Two former Derbyshire police call handlers have been jailed after abusing their positions within the force and misusing access to sensitive information held on police systems. Ellie-Mae Doherty and Jessica Fitzhugh, both 22, worked as call handlers in Derbyshire Constabulary’s control room before their conduct came under investigation. The pair were sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on September 3 after separate offences involving the misuse of police information. Doherty, from Ripley, was sentenced to 11 months in prison after admitting that she passed sensitive information from police systems to a man linked to criminal activity. She also admitted failing to tell Derbyshire Constabulary that she had a personal association with the individual. Her actions amounted to a serious breach of the responsibilities placed on police staff who have access to confidential information. Such systems contain material that can be highly sensitive, and access is provided for legitimate policing purposes rather than personal relationships or private interests. Fitzhugh, from Belper, was sentenced to four months in prison after pleading guilty to computer misuse. She admitted accessing information held on police systems without authorisation and taking photographs of material contained within those systems without permission. Fitzhugh had originally denied the charge of misconduct in public office. However, she pleaded guilty to the separate computer misuse offence relating to her unauthorised access and handling of police information. The cases followed conduct referrals made by Derbyshire Constabulary to the Independent Office for Police Conduct in December 2023 and March 2024. Following assessment of the allegations, the IOPC determined that they required investigation and that the force’s Counter Corruption Unit should conduct the investigation under the IOPC’s direction and control. The investigation ultimately exposed two separate breaches of the standards expected of people working within policing and resulted in both women facing criminal proceedings. Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Michelle Shooter said the convictions demonstrated the seriousness with which the force treats the misuse of police information. “Police officers and staff are given access to extremely sensitive information in order to keep our communities safe,” she said. “The public put their trust in us and expect that we will use that information for the appropriate reasons.” She said both former employees had breached that trust and had now faced the consequences of their actions. “The force worked closely with the Independent Office for Police Conduct to carry out the investigation into Fitzhugh and Doherty following a conduct referral to the IOPC by the force,” she added. Shooter said the case reinforced the responsibilities held by police officers and staff and demonstrated that the force would take action against those who broke the law or failed to meet the required standards of professional conduct. Both Doherty and Fitzhugh have now left Derbyshire Constabulary. Their criminal sentences, however, will not mark the end of the disciplinary process. Following their convictions and sentencing, both women will face misconduct hearings, where their conduct while employed by the force will be considered under the relevant police disciplinary procedures. The case highlights the importance of the safeguards surrounding police databases and the responsibility placed on staff who are authorised to access them. Information available through police systems can include details about individuals, investigations and criminal activity, meaning unauthorised disclosure or access can potentially compromise policing operations and undermine public confidence. For police forces, maintaining strict control over sensitive information is a fundamental part of protecting investigations and the wider community. Staff members are trusted to access information because of their professional roles, and that access carries clear obligations about how information can be viewed, recorded and shared. The sentences handed to Doherty and Fitzhugh underline the potential consequences when that trust is abused. One was found to have passed confidential police information to a person connected with crime, while the other admitted accessing and photographing information without authorisation. The force has stressed that the investigation was carried out in cooperation with the IOPC, following referrals made by Derbyshire Constabulary itself. The involvement of the police watchdog provided independent direction and oversight while the force’s Counter Corruption Unit conducted the investigation. With both women now outside the organisation and further misconduct proceedings still to come, the case is likely to remain a significant example of the consequences facing police employees who misuse confidential information. For Derbyshire Constabulary, the message is clear: access to police intelligence is granted to support legitimate policing, not for personal use, and employees who breach that trust can face both criminal prosecution and professional sanctions.
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