Two former police call handlers from the Midlands, Ellie-Mae Doherty and Jessica Fitzhugh, have been sentenced to prison for misusing their official positions to obtain and share sensitive information with criminal associates. Both women, aged 22, had worked in Derbyshire Constabulary’s control room before their convictions.
Doherty, from Ripley, admitted to disclosing confidential information from police systems to a man involved in criminal activities, while failing to declare her personal connection to him. Fitzhugh, from Belper, pleaded guilty to computer misuse after unlawfully accessing police data and taking unauthorized photographs of sensitive material. Fitzhugh denied misconduct in public office but accepted responsibility for breaching computer access rules.
The offences came to light following referrals by Derbyshire Police to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in late 2023 and early 2024. Subsequently, an investigation led by the IOPC and the force’s Counter Corruption Unit found that both women had accessed police systems to look up details about incidents and individuals connected to their relationships with men involved in criminal conduct.
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Prosecutor Helen Rodger highlighted that both women were in intimate relationships with known offenders, which should have been declared as disclosable associations, as required by their roles. Doherty accessed and passed on details of a December 2023 incident involving a fight and property damage, as well as information about a search warrant in March 2024. Fitzhugh searched for police incidents in spring 2024 out of what the judge termed “idle curiosity”.
At Leicester Crown Court on Thursday, 3 September, Doherty received an 11-month prison sentence, while Fitzhugh was handed a four-month term. The judge, Timothy Spencer KC, described the pair as “naive” young women who disregarded the clear guidance and training provided to them. He noted Doherty’s actions were more serious due to the deliberate passing of information on two separate occasions.
Both women started their police careers at a young age, first meeting while employed at McDonald’s before joining Derbyshire Police as call handlers and dispatchers. Extensive vetting and declarations were required to ensure they had no associations with individuals involved in criminal activity. The judge expressed doubt over the future of their friendship, commenting on the lasting impact of their misconduct.
Following the sentencing, Derbyshire Police confirmed that a misconduct hearing for both Doherty and Fitzhugh will proceed. Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Michelle Shooter emphasised the importance of trust placed in police officers and staff, highlighting that breaches of this nature are taken seriously and result in appropriate consequences.
“Police officers and staff are given access to extremely sensitive information in order to keep our communities safe,” Shooter stated. “The public expect that this information is used responsibly. The actions of Jessica Fitzhugh and Ellie-Mae Doherty violated that trust, and they have been held accountable.”