Derbyshire police call handlers who used police system to pass sensitive information on to criminals jailed
Two former Derbyshire Constabulary call handlers were jailed for abusing their positions to help criminals.
Ellie-Mae Doherty and Jessica Fitzhugh, both aged 22, were working as call handlers for Derbyshire police in 2023 when they accessed police systems to check information about their boyfriends who were reportedly involved in criminal activities.
Doherty and Fitzhugh were charged with misconduct in public office in April following an investigation directed by the IOPC launched after conduct referrals by Derbyshire Constabulary in December 2023 and March 2024.
Doherty, from Ripley, pleaded guilty to the offence after admitting passing information from police systems to a man linked to crime and not informing Derbyshire Constabulary she had a personal association with him.
Fitzhugh, from Belper, denied misconduct in public office but pleaded guilty to computer misuse after admitting unauthorised access to information on police systems and taking photographs of material held on those systems without permission.
Both defendants appeared for sentencing at Leicester Crown Court today (Thursday, September 3).
Doherty was jailed for 11 months and Fitzhugh was handed a four-month prison term.
IOPC Director of Engagement, Emily Barry, said the sentences should act as a clear warning that misusing police systems will not be tolerated by forces or the courts.
She said: “Disclosure of police information without a valid reason for doing so, often to those involved in criminality, is the most common form of corruption the IOPC anti-corruption unit deals with.
“Police information and intelligence is an extremely valuable commodity to criminals who will actively seek it out.
“Call handlers are privy to sensitive information and have access to confidential data on police systems. It’s incumbent on them not to inappropriately disclose information and to only access material for policing purposes.
“Doherty admitted supplying information to a man she knew personally, a man with known links to crime, including on one occasion to inform him that an associate had been arrested. Some information was supplied within a few months of her joining the force.
“Both women accepted their actions were inappropriate and a breach of their duties. Now that the court case has concluded, it will be for Derbyshire Constabulary to arrange misconduct hearings where they can likely expect to be barred from working in policing again in the future.”
Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Michelle Shooter said: “Police officers and staff are given access to extremely sensitive information in order to keep our communities safe.
"The public put their trust in us and expect that we will use that information for the appropriate reasons.
"Both Jessica Fitzhugh and Ellie-Mae Doherty breached the trust and have faced the consequences of their actions.
"The force worked closely with the Independent Office for Police Conduct to carry out the investigation into Fitzhugh and Doherty following a conduct referral to the IOPC by the force.
"The case reinforces the clear responsibilities that officers and staff have – and that the force will take action against those who break the law and breach the standards of conduct that are expected of them."