A South West London police officer has been given a final warning after he was found to have deliberately accessed a crime reporting information system (CRIS) without authorisation.

The disciplinary panel found that evidence proved his actions "on the balance of probabilities", which amounted to gross misconduct.

The case against PC Aaron Robertson, of the South West Basic Command Unit (BCU) of the Metropolitan Police covering Merton, Wandsworth, Kingston and Richmond, was heard by a panel at a hearing on October 29 and 30 last year.

The outcome, published on January 8, concluded the officer's actions were in breach of "the professional standards of behaviour of Confidentiality and Discreditable Conduct".

PC Robertson was found to have carried out multiple unauthorised searches on the CRIS database between July 26 and August 13, 2019.

The first allegation related to eight searches conducted on 'Persons A and B' between these dates, whilst the second allegation related to the access of Person B's CRIS record for approximately four minutes on August 13, 2019.

The police CRIS was a digital system used by forces like the Metropolitan Police to record and manage details of reported crimes, including locations, victims, witnesses and investigations.

It digitised paper records to create a permanent record of crime-related actions but was criticised for potentially holding data on innocent individuals and was replaced by a newer system in 2024.

PC Robertson, who was approximately two years in service and working as a response officer at the time, remained in the role throughout the times of allegations, "accepted the facts" as set out and "maintained responsibility for his actions".

The officer apologised for his actions and acknowledged that "if the public were aware of them, they would be gobsmacked and angry", according to the report.

It added: "He knew the rules for accessing police systems at the time and the legitimate channels he could have used to address his concerns; and on reflection would not repeat his actions."

There was no evidence that any of the information was used or shared, nor was there any evidence that anyone "experienced physical or mental harm" as a result of the officer's actions.

PC Robertson argued that he could not recall what information he had seen due to the amount of time that had passed and, "on self-reflection", had recently taken courses on police ethics and data protection, according to the report.

However, the panel added that the "motivation was not a legitimate policing purpose" and they "found it hard to believe" that he could not remember any of the information he saw in detail.

The panel found that the age of the allegations, their limited nature and scope, the limited harm, and the lack of malice by the officer "are all significant factors of mitigation of importance" in determining the outcome of the case.

After hearing the evidence, the panel Chair, Commander Andy Brittain, stated: "The panel decides that all the allegations against the officer are proven on the balance of probabilities for breach of the professional standards of behaviour of Confidentiality and Discreditable Conduct amounting to gross misconduct."

The sanction of a final written warning for two years was imposed on PC Robertson.