Neil Wilby Media

In a notice posted on their website, South Yorkshire Police say that PC Isabella Handley faces a misconduct hearing next week.

The allegations are: Between 23rd August, 2020 and 18th November, 2022, the officer accessed police systems to view and obtain information about people connected to her and in doing so she acted without a legitimate policing purpose and used policing systems inappropriately to obtain information for personal use or reassurance.

PC Handley also failed to make any ‘Notifiable Association’ disclosures in relation to her connection to three individuals whom she knew or reasonably suspected to be involved in criminality.

These are breaches of the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of Discreditable Conduct, Honesty & Integrity, Confidentiality and Orders & Instructions.

The matters set out above are breaches of the Standards which are so serious as to justify dismissal and therefore constitute Gross Misconduct.

The force has not supplied the name of Legally Qualified Chair, or chairperson, who will preside over this misconduct hearing.

It will take place at The Professional Standards Department, South Yorkshire Police, Churchill Way, Chapeltown, Sheffield S35 2PY. Authorised members of the public wishing to attend the misconduct hearing should attend at that location on Monday 18th September, 2023 at 12.30pm.

It is a particularly high fall from grace for PC Handley as just under three years ago she was hailed as a poster girl for the force and policing as a career. This is a post from the South Yorkshire Police Facebook page in November, 2020:

“A student officer from Barnsley has been praised and awarded the ‘Don Betton Trophy for her ‘conscientious and determined attitude’ over the past 12 months.

“PC Isabella Handley is described as having maturity far beyond her policing years after attending several serious incidents within her first year of policing.

“The first year of a new role is challenging for everyone who starts a new job, but in the world of policing no two days are the same, officers’ training prepares them in the best way but learning while working changes perceptions, attitudes and abilities.

“Within her first year, PC Handley has been the first officer on scene at two sudden infant deaths, working hard to secure evidence at the scene but also conducting herself in a compassionate and calm manner while dealing with extremely distressed families.
Following the infant deaths, PC Handley attended a suicide attempt involving a man and a Heavy Goods Vehicle. PC Handley was praised for managing the scene, controlling the varying demands, including support of the victim and risks.

“The Don Betton trophy is awarded to the student officer who has shown the greatest development and contribution to the district and Barnsley Chief Superintendent Sarah Poolman had no hesitation in awarding PC Handley the title in recognition in of an outstanding start to her policing career.

“She said: “PC Handley’s determined attitude and willingness to positively contribute to the quality of service provided to the public has not gone unnoticed by colleagues around the district.

“Her strong work ethic and intelligence have placed her in the optimum position to enjoy a long and successful policing career.

“PC Handley added: “My first year has as a whole has been exciting, varied, rewarding but not without its challenges. I feel honoured to achieve this award, doing a job that I genuinely love. I will continue to strive to reach my greatest potential, whilst protecting the public of South Yorkshire.”

“Congratulations to PC Handley.”

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Page last updated: Thursday 14th September, 2023 at 08h45

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