An Accelerated Misconduct Hearing was held today at North Wales Police Headquarters, Colwyn Bay.
The hearing considered the conduct of former Detective Inspector Emma Gardner following her conviction for computer misuse. Gardner resigned from North Wales Police during the legal proceedings relating to the matter.
Today, the hearing, which the former officer did not attend, found that the allegation was proven and that her actions amounted to Gross Misconduct. Had she still been a serving police officer, she would have been dismissed without notice.
In addition, her name will be placed on the College of Policing Barred List, preventing her from working within policing in the future.
On 8 July 2026, Gardner was convicted at Caernarfon Crown Court of an offence contrary to the Computer Misuse Act 1990 following a trial. She is due to be sentenced on 11 September 2026.
Speaking after the hearing, Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman KPM said:
“Police officers and staff are entrusted with access to highly sensitive information and the public rightly expects that information to be used only for legitimate policing purposes.
The standards expected of those working in policing are rightly high, and maintaining public confidence is fundamental to everything we do.
This case involved criminal conduct which fell well below the standards expected of a police officer. Misuse of police systems and information undermines the trust that the public places in policing, and it is therefore right that robust action has been taken.
North Wales Police remains committed to maintaining the highest professional standards and ensuring that officers, staff and volunteers are held accountable when those standards are not met.”
