AN Essex Police Detective Inspector was found to have committed gross misconduct relating to a string of data breaches. The officer was dismissed without notice. 

Following an investigation by Essex Police Professional Standards Department they were found to have sent and received e mails between his work and personal email addresses between January 2019 and July 2023.

27 of these were found to be data breaches that included information on sensitive police tactics, the personal details of members of the public and suspects, and CCTV footage relating to investigations.

A statement from the force says: "Although none of these breaches compromised the safety or integrity of any person or operation this unlawful processing of personal data breached the Essex Police policy and procedure as well Data Protection Act principles. "

The accelerated misconduct hearing chaired by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington was completed on 3 June 2024. 

CC Harrington said: "This officer was in a leadership position within Essex Police and had significant experience.

"They had undertaken training about data protection and the code of ethics so knew the correct way to handle this information.

"We make it really clear to all officers that information and personal data must be treated with respect and only accessed or disclosed in the proper course of police duties. Officers, staff, and volunteers undergo regular training relating to these issues and we stress its importance.

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"This kind of gross misconduct is unacceptable."

"To maintain the trust of the public they must have confidence that we will treat them and their personal information with respect. Victims of crime, and their families, must be certain they and their data will be treated with care and sensitivity. 

"This officer's actions risked damaging that confidence and I want to reassure the public that the overwhelming majority of officers, staff, and volunteers treat sensitive and personal information securely. 

"I hope this action by our Professional Standards Department in uncovering these issues and assures people that we treat data securely and deal with serious breaches robustly."