A NORTH Wales Police (NWP) officer has lost his job after he used the force’s databases to look up information about a person he knew.

PC Gavin Griffiths is to be placed on the police barred list after gross misconduct was found proven at a disciplinary hearing.

The hearing also found that, on two occasions, PC Griffiths failed to properly record and store suspected class A and B drugs; in both October 2021 and April 2022.

An investigation, carried out by NWP under the direction of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), began last July, following a referral from the force about his conduct.

READ MORE:

This week's court cases in Denbighshire, Conwy and Anglesey

Excitement as purchase of pub near St Asaph moves one step closer

Woman hid convictions in North Wales college job application

It was alleged that, between July 2021 and April 2022, PC Griffiths maintained an association with a person, about whom he had viewed information and intelligence on NWP systems.

He continued to do so, on one occasion, without a policing purpose, and failed to register a “notifiable association” with the force’s Professional Standards Department.

PC Griffiths was also alleged to have dishonestly entered incorrect details about the disposal of the suspected drugs.

A hearing, held by the force before an independent, legally-qualified chair, concluded on March 22.

It was determined that PC Griffiths had breached the standards of professional behaviour, including for integrity, and for duties and responsibilities, and that he should be dismissed.

While the panel found no evidence that any information viewed had been used for any improper purpose, it determined that gross misconduct was proven for the officer viewing intelligence systems during a period of months without a policing purpose.

The lower level of misconduct was also proven against PC Griffiths for not properly managing the storage and exhibiting of seized property.

IOPC director of major investigations, Steve Noonan, said: “Police officers understand that the public rightly expect the highest standards of behaviour to be maintained.

“Officers should always act with integrity and avoid placing themselves in any situations where their position might be compromised.

“This officer should have notified his force of his association with an individual which could have led to a conflict of interest.

“PC Griffiths’ conduct had the potential to discredit the police service and undermine public confidence in policing.”