Detective to face police rap

ACTION . . . DS Alan Walker

A DETECTIVE sergeant investigated over allegations of corruption is facing disciplinary action.

It was initially reported that Alan Walker (46) had been cleared of all charges due to a lack of evidence.

But the Crown Prosecution Service and police have confirmed that the officer admitted 49 offences under the Data Protection Act, between April, 2006, and November, 2007, while he was working at Oldham police station.

He received a caution and remains on restricted duties, but now faces disciplinary action.

His wife Paula (40), who works in a civilian role at the police station, was arrested on suspicion of money laundering in January, 2008, but was later released without charge. She had moved offices but is carrying out the same role. Det Sgt Walker, who has been with the force for 20 years, was arrested in January, 2008.

He was originally arrested on suspicion of money laundering, misconduct in a public office, unauthorised taking of a vehicle and data protection offences. But apart from the data protection offences, the other charges were dropped.

At the time Walker and his wife, formerly of Grotton but now living in Marsden, were directors of a sandwich shop just yards from the police station on George Street. Det Insp Martin Reddington, from the Professional Standards Branch, said: “The officer abused his position of trust within the police and his actions have cast the force in a bad light. No officer, however, is immune from being investigated should there be a suspicion, and this officer now faces disciplinary action.”

The data protection charges relate to Walker repeatedly logging on to GMP’s computer system without permission to check on the whereabouts and assets of a person he had loaned money to.

The case against him was dropped after he accepted the police caution — but he could now lose his job.

A CPS spokesman said: “Taking into account the nature of the internal disciplinary process that Mr Walker faces and his admitting his wrongdoing, we considered the issuing of a caution was an appropriate alternative to prosecution. Cautions can be brought to the attention of the court if the offender is later convicted of any further offence.”