A Bedfordshire Police officer has been dismissed after using the force’s computers to look up information not related to his work, including details of an incident involving a relative.
He also failed to disclose that a family member had a criminal conviction during a background screening.
PC Arshad Mahmood, who had already handed in his resignation, failed to attend a public misconduct hearing at Biggleswade Town Hall on Wednesday (25 September).
But a panel found the allegations against him all proved in his absence and ruled that he has committed Gross Misconduct in respect of honesty and integrity, orders and instructions, duties and responsibilities, confidentiality and discreditable conduct.
He was dismissed without notice with immediate effect.
The full allegations against PC Mahmood, who joined the force in 2005, included:
- Viewing a computer log of an incident which involved a relative in 2015
- Failing to disclose that search or notify the force that a family member had a criminal conviction during background screening in 2017
- Accessing police systems to review details of a warrant carried out at a property owned by a family member in November last year
- Failure to disclose a business interest for a period of 10 years
Deputy Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst said: “We expect the very highest standards of integrity from our officers, but PC Mahmood’s conduct has repeatedly fallen well short of our expectations.
“It is imperative that police officers and staff are trusted with confidential information in order to keep people safe.
“We ensure everyone is fully aware of the responsibility that comes with that trust, and the importance of using our systems purely for policing purposes.
“Anyone who abuses that responsibility will face being held to account.”
