Lancashire Police Officer Jailed for Disposing of Phone During Probe
A corrupt police officer from Lancashire has been sentenced to nine and a half months in prison after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice. Samarah Kamal, a 27-year-old constable, was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court for discarding her mobile phone while under investigation by the force's Anti Corruption Unit.
Details of the Investigation and Arrest
On July 24, 2023, officers from Lancashire Constabulary's Anti Corruption Unit attempted to contact Kamal in relation to a money laundering inquiry. Kamal had called in sick to work and was not at her home address on Fletcher Road in Preston when the unit tried to reach her. Calls were made to her personal mobile phone at 2:56 PM and 2:59 PM, but they went unanswered.
At 3:00 PM, the investigating officer received a missed call from Kamal's phone and returned the call at 3:02 PM. Kamal agreed to meet the officer at their location and arrived at 3:11 PM, where she was promptly arrested. During searches of Kamal and her home, it was discovered that in the nine minutes between speaking to the investigating officer and arriving at the meeting point, she had disposed of her mobile phone.
Consequences and Sentencing
The disposal of the mobile phone resulted in a significant loss of evidence, leading to consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service. Kamal was subsequently charged with perverting the course of justice. She pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing at Liverpool Crown Court and was sentenced on March 12 to nine and a half months in jail.
Kamal, who served as a constable on Lancashire Constabulary's East Response Investigations Team, was dismissed from the force following an Accelerated Misconduct Hearing last year. Her name has been added to the Barred List, preventing her from future employment in policing.
Official Statements and Broader Context
Det Supt Pete Reil, Head of the Professional Standards Department at Lancashire Police, stated: "Samarah Kamal's dishonest conduct fell well short of what the public would expect of a serving police officer. Quite rightly, it has resulted in a criminal conviction and dismissal from her privileged role as a police officer."
This case highlights ongoing issues with police corruption in the UK. It follows recent revelations about a probe into Britain's most crooked police officer, Det Sgt Derek Ridgewell, who framed innocent men, mostly Black victims, during the 1970s. Ridgewell's corrupt activities have led to multiple convictions being quashed, including that of Errol Campbell in July 2025, based on fabricated evidence.
The incident underscores the importance of maintaining integrity within law enforcement and the severe consequences for officers who betray public trust. The Lancashire Constabulary has emphasized its commitment to upholding high standards and taking decisive action against misconduct.
