Civilian police worker fined for sharing data

Sharen Gardner has been fined £1,500 for unlawfully obtaining personal data

A police investigations worker who shared a photograph of sensitive information displayed on her computer screen in a family WhatsApp group has been fined £1,500.

Sharen Gardner was working as a civilian financial crimes investigator when she sent a picture featuring summaries of intelligence reports, names and personal data in May last year.

Douglas Courthouse heard the 55-year-old had been suspended from the role with the Isle of Man Constabulary.

Magistrates said it was a "serious offence" which she "would have known was wrong".

Gardner was also ordered to pay £125 in court costs.

'Highly sensitive information'

The court heard Gardner, of Queens Terrace in Douglas, had moved to that post a few days prior and had been given "no particular training" when she shared the message in the group on the evening of 10 May 2023.

Responding to a comment in the group she replied: "I can get into trouble for sharing the info," the court was told.

The photograph came to light 11 months later when police reviewed a phone during investigations into an unrelated matter.

The court heard there had been a small number of people in the group it was posted in and it had not been shared any wider.

Gardner pleaded guilty to one charge of the unlawful obtaining of personal data.

Prosecutors told the court she had signed a number of documents prior to the offence to say that she would not disclose police information to unauthorised recipients.

Magistrates chairman David Christian said it had been "highly sensitive information" that was "not for personal amusement to share", and there was a "risk" it could have been shared further.

He added it had "cost her dearly", and her remorse "appeared genuine".