An Essex Police volunteer has been found to have committed gross misconduct after breaching confidentiality rules and misusing police information.

Special Sergeant Jaime Parker was found to have committed three counts of gross misconduct in a number of professional settings, having fallen below honesty and integrity expectations, failed to follow orders and instructions, breached confidentiality rules and brought discredit upon the police.

It was alleged that, while on duty, Special Sergeant Parker used the Police National Computer to carry out a check on a vehicle without a valid reason in April 2019.

It was also alleged that, while off duty in June 2019, Special Sergeant Parker carried out a new check on the Police National Computer on another vehicle without a valid reason.

Later, in February 2020 it was further alleged Special Sergeant Parker gave an account of the event in April 2019 which she knew to be untruthful.

Special Sergeant Parker accepted her conduct on all parts on the grounds that she could offer no evidence to support her own account.

The hearing, which was held over two days at Chelmsford Civic Centre from 26 April, heard she knowingly gave an untruthful account about the use of the Police National Computer, failed to abide by force policies by accessing police information incorrectly and brought discredit upon the police service.

Legally qualified chair David Tyme led the misconduct hearing, which found that Special Sergeant Parker had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to honesty and integrity, orders and instructions, confidentiality and discreditable conduct.

She was dismissed and will be placed on the College of Policing Barred List.

Deputy Chief Constable Pippa Mills said: “In Essex, we have the second largest Special Constabulary in the country, and I’m really proud of the volunteers who give up their time to protect and serve the county.

“Our Specials are subject to extensive training on using police database systems and when such systems should be used and, most importantly, where they should not.

“Special Sergeant Parker fell below the standards expected by the public who trust us with their data.

“We will continue to work hard to address anything which may undermine the trust and confidence our communities place in us.”