Former Cumbria Police Investigator Jailed for Sharing Sensitive Information
A former Cumbria Police financial investigator has been jailed after unlawfully accessing police systems and sharing private information.
Barry Cowin, a former civilian investigator who had worked for Cumbria Constabulary, was sentenced to four months in prison at Lancaster Magistrates’ Court on May 15. He had earlier pleaded guilty to seven offences linked to the misuse of police records.
The case followed an investigation directed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct’s Anti-Corruption Unit. Investigators found that Cowin used his position to look up information about people he knew, including financial records and criminal records.
What Cowin Did
The investigation found that Cowin accessed police systems without a proper policing reason.
According to the IOPC, he looked up private information at the request of two associates. He also shared sensitive details that he had no right to pass on.
This included using a police financial computer system unlawfully, checking the registered keeper of a vehicle involved in a collision with a friend’s partner, and sharing information about people’s criminal records.
Cowin was later charged with four counts of unauthorised access to computer material and three counts of sharing personal data without consent.
Former Officer Later Took Civilian Role
Cowin first joined the force in 1985 as a police officer. He later moved into a civilian role in 2015.
The majority of the offences investigated took place between August 2022 and June 2024. Cowin retired while the investigation was ongoing.
The case is serious because police databases hold highly sensitive information. These systems are meant to be used only for lawful policing work, not for personal reasons or to help friends and associates.
IOPC Says Trust Was Abused
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe said Cowin should have been upholding the law, but instead accessed and shared private information he had no right to use.
She said his experience made the case worse, because he knew what was expected of him as both a police employee and former officer.
The IOPC said the case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service in September 2025 after the investigation concluded. Cowin was then charged and later admitted the offences.
Why the Case Matters
The case raises clear concerns about public trust and the protection of personal information.
Police staff and officers have access to systems that contain details about victims, suspects, witnesses and members of the public. When that access is misused, it can cause real harm and damage confidence in policing.
Cowin’s sentence shows that misuse of police systems can lead to criminal punishment, even when the person involved has retired or no longer works in the same role.
