Pc sacked for misuse of work computer

A FEMALE police constable has been sacked after using a force computer to check up on a man she was planning to go on a date with.

Pc Teresa Lines misused police systems by checking details on the man, as well as making a false entry into her pocket notebook about her reasons to attend his house.

She then made a false allegation around the motivation of the person who reported her for the computer misuse.

Lines has been dismissed by Avon and Somerset Police after allegations of gross misconduct were proven at a misconduct hearing on Wednesday.

Supt Jane Wigmore, head of professional standards, said: “Legitimacy is vital to maintaining public confidence and we expect all officers and staff to abide by a strict data protection policy when it comes to the use of police systems and accessing both sensitive and confidential information.

“Pc Lines’ actions were a clear breach of this policy and there was no policing purpose for her to access the information she did.

“Pc Lines went onto compound this lack of judgment with a false allegation relating to the person who reported this breach and a false entry in her pocket notebook – all in an attempt to conceal her actions.

“It is important officers and staff maintain professional boundaries, including with members of the public, and Pc Lines failed to do that.

“The misconduct hearing panel... found allegations of gross misconduct were proven and have decided the sanction should be dismissal without notice.”