By Former Grimsby officer shared ‘top secret’ intelligence
A police officer has been handed a suspended sentence after sharing a picture of confidential police intelligence over messaging app, WhatsApp.
Former Humberside PC Kate Elston sent top secret information to a member of the public. She took a picture of a confidential briefing sheet on a computer in August 2020.
A court heard Elston had shared further information to the same person on multiple occasions between February 2019 and September 2020.
Elston was jailed for six months, suspended for two years, at Leeds Crown Court this morning (Friday) following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
It was also heard in court how the PC was struck-off the policing list over the offence.
Investigations into Elston began in September 2020, one month after sharing the picture on WhatsApp. She was arrested at Grimsby Police Station on October 5, 2020, on suspicion of corrupt or improper exercise of police powers.
Further down the line, the IOPC discovered other occasions where she’d shared confidential information, which included emails and pictures of crime scenes.
She appeared at Grimsby Magistrates’s Court in February this year. The force described her misconduct as a “troubling case” which involved “highly confidential information”.
Detective Superintendent Matt Baldwin, head of the force’s Professional Standards Department, said: “Breaches of this nature are always viewed with the utmost seriousness as the impact they can have on investigations can be significant. We expect the highest degree of professionalism and integrity amongst our officers and staff and anyone who is found to be in breach of this will be dealt with.”
Steve Noonan, Director of Major Investigations at the IOPC, meanwhile said her conduct had been “audacious, corrupt and criminal”. “Disclosing confidential information without reasonable excuse or justification can significantly damage the trust and confidence that members of the public place in the police,” he said.
“Her actions were a complete betrayal of the public’s trust and have no place in policing. The evidence we have seen points towards this being an isolated case of police corruption but the outcome sends a clear message to any officer who conducts themselves in such a way – they face serious consequences and will be held to account.”
“Forces have a key role to play in tackling issues like this and I would like to thank the team at Humberside Police for their professionalism and thorough investigation that has ultimately led to the sentencing today.”
Elston faced a misconduct hearing by the force, but resigned before the hearing in November last year. In the hearing, it was concluded she would have been dismissed regardless, and she was barred from the policing list.
To coincide with the suspended sentence, Elston was ordered by the court to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
