Plainfield Police Dispatcher Misuses Database For Person Gain: Cops

A civilian emergency dispatcher in Connecticut is facing charges after allegedly misusing a police database for personal reasons. The allegations focus on the improper use of a law enforcement tool meant for investigations, not private inquiries.

Danielle Branch
Photo Credit: *Connecticut State Police*

Josh Lanier

12/21/2024 5:39 p.m.

Danielle Branch, 38, of Moosup, was arrested earlier this month and charged with computer crimes in the fifth degree and misuse of computer system information, according to Plainfield police in a Facebook post.

Authorities began investigating the woman after a citizen complained that Branch had information about her that she could only have gotten through the state's police database which is only to be used for official business, Plainfield officials said.

Authorities allege Branch used the Connecticut On-Line Law Enforcement Communications Teleprocessing system, or COLLECT, for personal purposes. The system, which provides access to critical state and federal resources, is reserved for law enforcement, and its misuse represents a serious breach of trust, police said.

Branch was arrested on Friday, Dec. 20, and released on a $25,000 bond, police said.

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