The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into an allegation that an officer conducted 18 checks on staff (including on themself) that were not for a legitimate purpose.
The officer holds a training and re-certification role and a specialist tactical role. The investigation found that the checks were conducted when the officer was working. The majority of the checks involved obtaining information that the officer needed to complete re-certification paperwork, but which had not been provided by the staff being re-certified despite multiple requests. The officer was subject to performance pressures to complete this paperwork within a specific timeframe, and concluded it was reasonable and prudent to gather the necessary information from the Police database to avoid criticism, when staff did not provide the necessary information themselves.
The Police investigation found that the officer’s database access in respect of other staff was for an official Police purpose. The officer could not account for the check pertaining to themselves. Accordingly, this check was found to be contrary to Police policy.
The Authority accepts that, in this case, it was reasonable for the officer to believe that the checks completed on re-certified staff were for a legitimate business purpose and supported by policy. However, the officer should not have obtained the necessary information by searching the Police database, as it allowed the officer to also view irrelevant and potentially sensitive personal information.
The Authority is satisfied with the Police investigation and the employment outcome.
IPCA: 24-24912