Joanna Miller, a former employee of Police Scotland, faces a series of serious allegations involving unauthorized access to personal data. Scheduled to stand trial at Greenock Sheriff Court, Miller, 31, has been charged with 44 counts related to breaches of data protection laws. The charges cover a period from November 2020 to July 2023, during which Miller is accused of illegally accessing and viewing personal data from Police Scotland’s Crime Management System.
The majority of the alleged breaches reportedly took place at Miller’s address in Gourock. Prosecutors claim that Miller accessed sensitive crime reports and personal information of police personnel without any legitimate policing purpose. Among the charges, 39 pertain to accessing and viewing crime reports, while the remaining five involve the unauthorized disclosure of data and photographs of police staff through WhatsApp group chats.
Miller’s case has brought significant attention, given her former role within the police force, although she was not an officer. After her initial suspension, Miller resigned from her position. The allegations suggest a severe breach of trust and data protection standards, raising concerns about internal security and the handling of sensitive information.
The legal proceedings are set to continue with Miller’s trial scheduled to begin on January 22, 2025. A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed that the case involves mishandling of police information but declined to comment further until the trial concludes. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for data protection practices within law enforcement agencies.
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