A former officer has been sentenced after admitting unauthorised use of police computer systems.
Armaan Ahmed, aged 25, appeared at Leeds Crown Court on 29 October where he pleaded guilty to computer misuse and corrupt or other improper exercise of police powers and privileges. He appeared again yesterday (Tuesday, 26 November) where he was sentenced to a total of 16 months suspended for 18 months. He was also given a community order.
The offences took place between 1 May 2021 and 31 August 2021 and came to light as a result of enquiries by the Professional Standards Directorate after concerns were reported by one of Ahmed’s colleagues.
Mr Ahmed was a police constable in Calderdale district at the time of his arrest on 22 June 2022. He resigned from the organisation on 24 June 2022 but remains subject to a separate misconduct investigation, with a view to him being banned from working in any further role in policing.
Detective Chief Superintendent Tanya Wilkins, Head of West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate, said: “It is made clear to every employee on joining West Yorkshire Police that information held on police systems should only be accessed for a legitimate policing purpose.
“This former officer has not only conducted unauthorised searches but has also shared information from these searches with others.
“Members of the public should quite rightly expect that any sensitive or confidential information about them that is recorded on police computer systems is protected.
“We take any suggestion of the unauthorised access of data extremely seriously and I hope the public are reassured by the action taken in this case.”
