Top NCA crime fighter Nikki Holland dismissed over 'serious security breaches'

ONE of Britain's top crime fighters was today dismissed with immeadiate effect after being found guilty of gross misconduct in connection with "serious information security breaches" at Britain's FBI.

Nikki Holland, former Director of Investigations at the National Crime Agency (NCA) had been suspended from the around £130,000 post since early 2022 on "existing contractual terms" alongside a junior colleague after serious allegations surfaced.

Ms Holland, who was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the 2019 New Year’s Honours, joined the NCA in 2017 after after 28 years with Merseyside Police where she rose to deputy chief constable.

She was at the forefront of the probe into the EncroChat encrypted phone system that led to thousands of arrests and the UK battle against county lines drugs gangs before the suspension.

Tonight an NCA spokesman said: "Following a hearing that concluded this evening, former Director of Investigations Nikki Holland has been found to have committed gross misconduct.

“The allegations which have been upheld against her related to serious information security breaches.

“As a result of the panel’s findings she has been dismissed from her position with immediate effect.

“While the panel did not find any malign intent in the breaches, the NCA expects the highest standards of conduct from all of our officers. Where those standards are not met appropriate action will be taken."

There was no mention of any action in connection with the junior colleague.

Earlier this year the probe, which was being conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) was split into two due to "difficulties" with the NCA taking on four allegations to handle internally.

It is not clear of he IOPC probe, which was into allegations of data protection breaches, bullying and misuse of public funds, is continuing.

The IOPC has yet to respond.

the IOPC has been involved, NCA officers are actually civil servants, not police officers, who report to the Home Office and details of their misconduct cases are shrouded in secrecy, unlike police counterparts who usually face public hearings.