Call handler sentenced for abusing access to police systems
A former call handler at Durham Constabulary has been jailed after admitting misconduct in a public office and possession of cocaine for passing confidential information to a gang of drug dealers.
Cameron Clifford, 28, of Strangford Avenue, Chester-le-Street, pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court to the charges relating to activity between 2021 and 2022. Prosecutors said he accessed sensitive information on police computer systems and shared details with dealers who supplied him with cocaine.
The offending came to light following an undercover internal operation by the force in 2022. An undercover officer posing as a member of the public planted a false tip about a vehicle connected to the dealers and monitored whether Clifford accessed or revealed policing information linked to that report.
Judge Nathan Adams said Clifford had "abused that position of trust that was placed in you".
Clifford, who had no previous convictions, told the court that much of the information he passed on was fabricated to maintain favour with the dealers. The court heard he had a drug addiction and owed money to those he was helping, although there was no suggestion he was directly threatened by them.
Sentences for dealers and details of case
Three men who supplied the drugs were also sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Sentences handed down at Teesside Crown Court were as follows:
| Name | Age | Address (as given in court) | Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Clifford | 28 | Strangford Avenue, Chester-le-Street | 22 months (custodial) |
| Kieren Smith | 25 | Brook Cottages, Consett | 40 months |
| Brandon Wales | 25 | Holly Gardens, Consett | 40 months |
| James Chappell | 28 | Taylor Street, Consett | 48 months |
The court was told that Clifford had access to confidential and sensitive information, including public tips received by the force. It was not clear what information was passed during 2021, the former call handler told the court.
Local implications and questions for the force
The sentencing raises difficult questions for Durham Constabulary about internal controls and the safeguards in place to protect sensitive information. While the offending was exposed thanks to an internal operation, the case underlines the vulnerabilities that arise where staff with access to systems may be compromised by addiction or other pressures.
- Integrity of policing systems: The case highlights the need to review who has access to sensitive data and how that access is monitored.
- Support for staff: Clifford's admitted drug addiction points to the importance of early intervention and support for officers or staff members struggling with substance misuse.
- Community trust: Passing of police information to criminals undermines public confidence; transparent review and reassurance will be important for local communities.
Durham Constabulary has previously said internal investigations led to the operation which exposed the wrongdoing. The sentences handed down reflect both the abuse of trust and the wider criminality linked to the supply of Class A drugs.
For communities across County Durham, the case is a reminder that criminal networks will seek to exploit weaknesses in systems and individuals. It also serves as a prompt for the force and local partners to ensure that prevention, detection and support mechanisms are robust.
Further detail about any internal disciplinary measures or procedural changes by the force has not been published with the court reporting. The court record sets out the facts presented at sentencing but does not identify wider systemic responses beyond the undercover operation that led to the exposure of the offences.
Local residents and community groups will expect clarity from the police about steps taken to prevent similar breaches in future and to protect the integrity of policing information in Durham.
