West Midlands Police officer Daniel Watts in misconduct charge
A West Midlands detective has appeared in court charged with handing sensitive information to suspected criminals.
Det Con Daniel Watts, 31, of Erdington, appeared before Cannock magistrates charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office.
Det Con Watts, a serving officer with the force's criminal investigation division (CID), has been suspended pending the case's outcome.
He and two other men were released on conditional bail until 21 December.
The two co-defendants were also charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and all three men are due to appear at Stafford Crown Court on 21 December.
West Midlands Police said in a statement the men were appearing in court "after police information was allegedly passed to criminal suspects".
"One of the charged men, aged 31, is a serving detective within the Force Criminal Investigation Department at West Midlands Police.
"The officer was arrested on 30 October, following an extensive police inquiry relating to alleged leaking of restricted information.
"He is currently suspended from duty and his access to police premises is restricted while he awaits trial."