Two former police call handlers have been jailed for leaking sensitive information to boyfriends involved in crime. Jessica Fitzhugh and Ellie-Mae Doherty were sentenced after an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Prosecutor Helen Rodger stated that both women had sexual relationships with the men and should have recognized these as "disclosable associations." Doherty, who completed her control room training in December 2022, first accessed and passed on information about an incident to Robbie Braddock, with whom she was reportedly in a relationship, in December 2023. The shared details concerned a fight where a window had been smashed. On March 6, 2024, Doherty again accessed and shared details about a planned search warrant execution with Braddock, also checking who was in custody at Ripley custody suite.
Fitzhugh, also reportedly in a relationship with a man with a criminal record, accessed incident details in spring 2024 out of "idle curiosity," according to the judge. The court heard that both women, who met while working at McDonald's before joining the police force, sat apart in the dock and were accompanied by their families. Judge Spencer speculated that their friendship may not have survived the case and that the actions would likely haunt them. He noted it was difficult to reconcile the young women with positive qualities described in reports with those who committed these offenses.
Defending Fitzhugh, Elizabeth Power argued that her client had a "lack of awareness" regarding the severity of her breaches. Lowri Butterworth, representing Doherty, stated that her client was "acutely aware" and had been using her time since the offenses to "give back" to her community.
Both women were charged in April following IOPC investigations. Emily Barry of the IOPC confirmed that Doherty admitted to supplying information to a man with known links to crime within months of joining the force. "Call handlers are privy to sensitive information and have access to confidential data on police systems," Barry said. "It's incumbent on them not to inappropriately disclose information and to only access material for policing purposes."
Following respective misconduct hearings, Barry indicated that both women would likely be barred from future employment in policing.