Former Sussex Police officer convicted of data protection offence

A former Sussex Police officer has been convicted of an offence under the Data Protection Act 2018.

Demi Lourenco, 28, appeared at Hastings Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (April 20) to face a charge of knowingly or recklessly disclosing personal data without the consent of the controller in October 2020.

Lourenco, who was a probationary officer based on East Sussex, pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay a £276 fine, £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

The charge related to one incident in which Lourenco inappropriately disclosed information she obtained during the course of her duties. The person the data was connected to has been kept informed and supported by investigators throughout.

Detective Superintendent Rachel Carr said: “Sussex Police expects the highest personal and professional standards of anyone who works for us. The force's Professional Standards Department will now consider misconduct proceedings following the result of the court case.”