Ex-Leicestershire Police Constable Barred for Illicitly Copying Sensitive Police Data

Ex-Leicestershire Police Constable Barred for Illicitly Copying Sensitive Police Data

A former Police Constable with Leicestershire Police, Sheena Manek, has been found guilty of Gross Misconduct for downloading multiple confidential files onto an unauthorised USB device, an act that also led to a criminal caution. The Accelerated Misconduct Hearing, chaired by Chief Constable Steven Cooper of Nottinghamshire Police, ruled that had she still been serving, she would have been dismissed.

The misconduct took place on January 23, 2025, the same day former PC Manek (formerly 2149), who worked in the Crime Bureau, submitted her resignation. While absent from work due to sickness, she accessed her police-issued laptop and, without any policing purpose or lawful authority, downloaded a considerable amount of sensitive and personal data onto an unauthorised, unencrypted external USB storage device.

The confidential information accessed and obtained included:

• Medical records (name, address, date of birth, hospital attendance details) of an individual (Person A).

• Dash cam footage related to a criminal investigation concerning Person A.

• A statement containing details of a suspect (Person B) and witnesses, including names, dates of birth, and offence information.

• A bail form relating to a third person (Person C), including name, address, and date of birth.

Criminal Caution and Misconduct Finding

The former officer was arrested on February 6, 2025, and subsequently admitted to the conduct in a prepared statement. On February 18, 2025, she accepted a conditional caution for the offence of copying restricted, personal, and sensitive data without consent, contrary to Section 170 of the Data Protection Act 2018.

At the Accelerated Misconduct Hearing on September 10, 2025, the Chair found all factual allegations to be established and ruled that the conduct amounted to Gross Misconduct—a finding the former officer accepted through her earlier admissions.

The finding covered breaches of three Standards of Professional Behaviour:

1. Confidentiality: Misusing and improperly accessing and disclosing information.

2. Orders and Instructions: Flagrantly breaching Force policies and procedures regarding removable media.

3. Discreditable Conduct: Committing a criminal offence and undermining public confidence.

Determination of Outcome

The Chair assessed the case as one of High Culpability and High Harm, noting that the former officer’s actions were planned, intentional, and a clear abuse of trust. The harm was significant due to the infringement of individuals' human rights (right to privacy), including victims of crime, and the potential for significant reputational damage to the police service.

While the former officer's early admission and remorse (demonstrated via a letter of apology) were noted as mitigating factors, the gravity of the data breach outweighed them.

The Chair concluded that the only appropriate outcome to uphold public confidence and the reputation of the police service was to determine that the former officer would have been dismissed had she been serving.

As a consequence of the finding of Gross Misconduct, Former PC Sheena Manek will be placed on the Police Barred List.