Is my criminal record confidential?

Are [they] allowed to share my criminal record? Generally details of your criminal record should not be shared unless you’ve given your explicit consent. A useful link is: Criminal records and data protection.

Do allegations show up on DBS?

Allegations are not disclosed on basic or standard DBS certificates. An allegation or pending matter may be disclosed on an enhanced DBS certificate at the discretion of the police.

What information is held on the police national database?

The Police National Computer is one of the main sources of information accessed when a Disclosure and Barring Service check is made. The Police National Computer holds indefinite records of a person’s convictions and cautions which will be revealed in a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Why don’t police officers have criminal records?

The reason why police departments do not want their law enforcement officers to have criminal records is simple: it creates police credibility problems in court. Under the rules of evidence, any witness that has been convicted of a crime can be questioned about it.

Can the police look through your phone when you’re arrested?

Plenty of nuanced laws of the land tend to be misunderstood—or totally unknown—by the general population. So, if you have a run-in with the law, make sure you keep in mind these police officer secrets. The police don’t have the right to look through your phone, even when you’re in custody.

What happens if a police officer is convicted of a crime?

Police officers who commit crimes face the same criminal penalties as other citizens. If a police officer is guilty of domestic violence, hit and run, or any other crime, a judge can sentence the officer to the same punishments as you face.

How do I ask if the police are processing personal data?

The Data Protection Act 2018 gives you the right to ask if the police holds, or is processing, any personal data about you. This is called a subject access request. To make a subject access request, visit our Request information about myself or others page. The subject access process is confidential between the applicant and the police.