Former police employee in Bridgwater admits misusing computer system
She will be sentenced in September
A former police employee has pleaded guilty to misusing a police computer system by conducting unauthorised searches.
Laura Dean, a 33-year-old who used to work at Bridgwater Police Centre, faced Exeter Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 12th August.
Dean admitted to 11 charges of computer misuse involving illicit searches of individuals, including herself.
The searches did not pertain to any crime victims she engaged with professionally.
Following her release on unconditional bail, Dean is due for sentencing on Wednesday, 16th September.
Dean had resigned from her position at Avon and Somerset Police in September 2025.
A misconduct process has been running alongside the criminal case and will continue after her conviction.
Police Reaction
Detective Superintendent Larisa Hunt, from the Professional Standards Department, addressed the breach.
"The computer system Laura Dean accessed is used to record crime reports, intelligence and other highly sensitive information.
"Employees must use the system solely for policing purposes after consenting to these terms before accessing the programme.
"Dean's actions were deliberate, ignoring warnings, and were not accidental.
"The public place trust in the police and expect their data to be accessed only when required," Hunt added.
"Therefore, these offences were taken very seriously.
"The Professional Standards Department led the investigation, with further misconduct proceedings potentially ensuing."