A constable snooped on confidential police computers about her relatives and their boyfriends after they got embroiled in crime, a misconduct panel was told.
PC Paula Humphreys is accused of illegally accessing off-limits parts of the force database, without alerting her bosses, which is an alleged breach of her public duty.
The officer, the disciplinary panel heard, used the computer to investigate her niece after a report was made of a bust-up between her and her boyfriend.
It is also alleged that in 2013 the 43-year-old used the database to check up on her sister Dawn’s boyfriend – Lee Gallagher – who had been arrested over possession of 146g of heroin, with a street value of £56,000.
Gallagher, the Humphreys said, had been ‘furtive’ around her, taking phone calls away from her, and seemed to behave in a ‘suspicious’ manner around her.
He was later jailed for four years and six months for conspiring to supply drugs, a Merseyside Police disciplinary panel, sitting in Wavertree Technology Park, was told.
Married Humphreys also stumped up £25,000 bail surety when her niece – Jodie MacDonald – was arrested in Bristol for money laundering, but she didn’t notify her superiors.
MacDonald later pleaded guilty to an offence of transferring criminal property and was ordered to carry out 240 hours community service.
Humphreys, who was based at Kirkby and Huyton police stations, told the misconduct hearing she failed to flag up that family connection as she{MacDonald} ‘wasn’t a close relative.’
She added: “In hindsight, I should have reported it. I can see {that} now.
“She could have never compromised me as I had no relationship with her. She is my sister’s daughter. I can’t control what she does or how she behaves.”
Humphreys, who has worked in CID and Merseyside Police’s Domestic Violence Unit, was quizzed about why she signed a driving licence for her sister Dawn’s partner – Gallagher – so he could get a job.
PC Paula Humphreys is to face a disciplinary probe today over allegations she used force computers inappropriately. Pictured here is a general view of Gardner Systems in Wavertree Liverpool, where the hearing is held.
A month later, the panel heard, his heroin peddling came to light.
The suspended officer, from West Derby , said: “I’d gone to my sister’s address. She asked if I’d fill in a form for him. My sister asked if I would sign a driving licence form, so he could get a bank account and so get a job.
“So I did that. It was a declaration of identity that he was who he said he was.”
Humphreys was last summer acquitted by magistrates of illegally looking at police computer systems in 2011 and 2012 while in Kirkby, and doing the same in 2013, when based at Huyton.
PC Humphreys insisted her computer checks were to ensure her job at the force would not be ‘compromised’ and denied any sinister motives.
The cop said: “I wanted to conduct a risk assessment for myself and the force.”
Her lawyer Steven Crossley, asking PC Humphreys about her repeated computer searches, added: “Was it to assist individuals or to assist Merseyside Police?”
PC Humphreys: “Always to assist Merseyside Police.
“I did it for the image of Merseyside Police.”
Mr Crossley asked: “Would you ever betray the image of Merseyside Police?
PC Humphreys replied: : “No, never sir.”
(Proceeding)
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/