A POLICE officer from Barnsley who carried out a number of police system checks without legitimate reasons has been dismissed and placed on the barred list.
PC Jade Bergan was an officer in the Doncaster district and between 2022 and 2023 but undertook a number of checks with untruthful or misleading codes.
There were five occasions when the systems were accessed by Bergan and she was subsequently the subject of an accelerated misconduct hearing.
Chief Constable Laura Poultney chaired the meeting.
She said: “The officer’s actions in respect of her access to the computer system were intentional, deliberate and repetitive.
“The misuse of police computer systems or confidential police information is a particular concern for police forces.
“Information held by the police is sensitive and there is an expectation by the public and a legal requirement that the information should be treated in strictest confidence, properly protected and only used for legitimate policing purposes.
“Personal reasons for accessing confidential police information such as general curiosity is not acceptable.
“She did not do it for a legitimate policing purpose.”
Bergan admitted that she had done this at an early stage but it was confirmed that the incident had undermined the public’s confidence in the force.
Chf Con Poultney added: “Turning to consider harm, PC Bergan’s conduct would undermine and harm the public’s confidence in the police.
“It would damage the reputation of the force and will impact on public confidence in the police if it became known by the public.
“Inappropriate access to police computer systems is a particular concern for the force and can amount to a criminal offence.
“This was a repeated course of conduct over a period of time.
“This conduct arose in part due to the officer’s misguided fundamental understanding as to what she could and could not do in accessing police computer systems.
“The officer admitted her actions at an early stage.”
Bergan, who joined the force in 2019, was subsequently placed on the policing barred list and was dismissed without notice.
“In these circumstances I do not consider that a final written warnings is sufficient to merit the seriousness of this officer’s action and its effect on public confidence in the force,” Chf Con Poultney added.
“In my judgement the only appropriate outcome is a dismissal without notice.
“No lesser alternative adequately protects public confidence in the police service, upholds standards in policing and protects the public.
“I therefore conclude that PC Bergan is dismissed without notice and, as a result of my decision, I direct that PC Bergan’s details should also now be placed on the barred list.”
