A Sussex Police officer has been dismissed without notice following a gross misconduct hearing concerning sexual assault allegations made against a colleague.
PC Daniel Julian, who served in West Sussex, was found to have seriously breached professional standards. The hearing concluded on Monday, March 30.
Julian is now on the College of Policing barred list, which prohibits him from any future police employment.
The case relates to a 2021 allegation where Julian was accused of sexually assaulting a fellow officer at a hotel in Kent during a police training course. Following a CPS review, he was arrested, suspended, and charged.
Although Julian denied the charges and was acquitted by a jury at Lewes Crown Court in 2024 of three counts of sexual assault, causing non-consensual sexual activity, and attempted rape, the misconduct panel reached a different conclusion.
Detective Superintendent Andy Wolstenholme commented on the verdict, stating, “This case centred on a victim who showed strength in the face of persistent, unwanted behaviour, and an officer who breached the trust of their colleague whilst away on a police training course.”
He added, “When supporting victims, we are clear that ‘no means no’. There is no ambiguity, and when PC Julian tried to initiate an intimate encounter and was told ‘no’ repeatedly, it was clear that he knew his behaviour was entirely inappropriate, yet he continued regardless.”
“He has been dismissed as a result,” Wolstenholme confirmed. “We are unequivocal; misogyny and sexual misconduct have no place in Sussex Police, and any officer who fails to respect the boundaries, autonomy and voice of others will face decisive action.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
