Law Weblog

Internet misuse by police and justice workers

Saturday 13 March 2010 at 7:34 am | In News | Post Comment The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has disciplined more than 40 staff for internet and email offences – including sacking four and issuing final warnings to three others. The Metropolitan Police (MPS0 has dealt with 28 members of staff for similar breaches.

Misbehaviour included use of websites like Facebook and Twitter and general internet and email offences.

Five civilian staff were also disciplined by the police force for committing the same offence in the past 18 months, with one of them being dismissed.

The usage policy at both the MoJ and the MPS prohibited staff from accessing social networking websites for personal reasons in working hours.

Other staff were subject to disciplinary action for breaches of IT security policy, for example misuse of email, internet browsing and incorrect use of passwords and login details.

“MoJ policy is that staff cannot access social networking sites for personal reasons.”