Ex-student police officer sentenced for misconduct

Megan McMurray was working at Gloucestershire Constabulary's Waterwells headquarters at the time of the offence

A former Gloucestershire Constabulary student officer has been handed a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to misconduct in public office.

Megan McMurray, 31 used the police crime database to access sensitive personal information about three individuals "for her amusement", which she then shared with a friend.

Images from the police database and information shared by McMurray in a text message were recovered from her mobile phone.

Gloucestershire Police said McMurray's actions were "a serious abuse of the public's trust and confidence".

At Worcester Crown Court on 30 May, McMurray was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and 200 hours unpaid work after pleading guilty to misconduct in public office at an earlier hearing.

McMurray, who was based at the headquarters in Quedgeley at the time of the offence in 2022, sent the information to three individuals to a friend who worked at a local company.

The data related to potential employees and a current member of staff at the company.

'Criminal record'

Stephen Sadler of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: “The public rightly expects police officers to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

“Megan McMurray fell far below that standard and abused her trusted position as a public servant.

“The CPS and police teams worked closely together to build a strong case against McMurray, who was left with no option but to plead guilty.

"She is now facing the consequences of her actions through a criminal record and the sentence imposed today.”

'Grossly offensive'

Det Ch Insp Harris said: "The actions of former PC Megan McMurray were a serious abuse of the public’s trust and confidence.

"McMurray used police systems to review confidential information held about the public for her own personal interest and shared this information with others for her amusement in a manner which was grossly offensive.

"McMurray, a student officer, had recent training in relation to data protection and the standards of professional behaviour and would have known these actions were incompatible with her role as a police officer.

"The work of the Constabulary's Anti-Corruption Unit was key to quickly identifying her actions and bringing her to justice.

“A misconduct hearing found she would have been sacked had she not already resigned, but due to the seriousness of her actions, our Professional Standards Department pursued criminal proceedings."