Patricia Webster, an employee of the RCIPS, is the first person to be convicted at Grand Court following an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Webster, a civilian RCIPS employee based at George Town police station, was charged in October 2011 following an investigation into her misuse of police and immigration data systems.

The charges were that she did willfully misconduct herself in abuse of the public trust by making extensive searches of the confidential police database and soliciting information from the immigration database, otherwise than in accordance with her authorised duties, in order to 1) ascertain whether an individual was the subject of a criminal investigation; and 2) obtain the personal telephone number of a second individual and passing that number on to a third party.

Webster was sentenced by Justice Quin on Thursday (16 May) to 9 months imprisonment wholly suspended for 12 months on each count of misconduct. The sentences will run concurrently.

She has been on required leave since September 2011. Steps are now being taken, in line with agreed Public Service Management Law policies, to terminate her employment with the RCIPS. She will remain on required leave until this process is completed.

David Baines, Commissioner of the RCIPS and Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission, is pleased to see the first anti-corruption conviction in Grand Court. “Yesterday’s successful conviction underlines the serious nature of the charges, as well as the continued determination of the RCIPS, the ACC and the DPP’s office to vigorously investigate and prosecute those who misuse their position in public office for corrupt purposes,” he said.

“Much has been said in the media of late about corruption in high levels – this case proves that corruption can take place at any level within our society. I would urge anyone who has information about corrupt practices to come forward and contact us. I would also warn anyone who might be tempted to misuse their position to take the news of this conviction very seriously, because there is little doubt that this is the first of many to come.”