Cop rapped over illicit checks on ex’s new man

Feb 22 2009 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

It is unknown if it was through drink or drugs, but there was no police investigation into that incident.

An audit trail of PC Blanchard’s warrant card uncovered that he had checked on Mr Brown and his friends a total of 16 times between August and October last year. Eleven of the checks were against Mr Brown and five were into his friends.

The checks included delving into personal details and computer checks on vehicles.

The report concludes that PC Blanchard allowed his personal life to interfere with his professional life and there was no justification for carrying out the computer checks, and PC Blanchard accepted that he did not have a legitimate police purpose for the action.

However, the document recommends PC Blanchard receives a warning and that management should monitor his use of computers.

Malcolm Brown said: “It is not acceptable that they have proved he made these checks yet all he has been given is a warning.

“I think he should have lost his job over what he has done. How can I trust the police again after this? It feels like there is one rule for ordinary people and one rule for the police.

“This whole thing has been very hard for me. At one point I was looking over my shoulder every time I left the house because I didn’t know who would be following me.”

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said the investigation was still ongoing and a final punishment had yet to be decided.

He said: “The vast majority of Northumbria Police officers and staff act with the utmost integrity and professionalism at all times. However, we respond robustly when any employee is suspected of behaving in a way which is not in keeping with those high standards.

“We can confirm that an internal investigation is being carried out.”

Jim Cousins, MP, for Newcastle Central said: “This is a very serious matter and it could cause great damage to the police.

“At the moment data protection issues are at the forefront of a lot of people’s minds and this could lead them to mistrust officers. It could be damaging to the work of his colleagues and the force as a whole.

“I think the police should look again at what punishment this officer is given.”

PC Blanchard refused to comment.