Sussex Police officer fired after sexual assault allegations
PC Daniel Julian underwent a criminal trial in 2024
A Sussex Police officer has been dismissed with immediate effect after allegations of sexual assault were raised against him by another officer.
PC Daniel Julian faced a misconduct hearing earlier in March, which concluded on 30th March that he had violated professional standards, resulting in gross misconduct.
The officer, who was stationed in the West Sussex division, has been added to the College of Policing barred list, preventing him from any future role in policing.
The allegations of sexual assault first emerged in 2021, leading to the arrest and suspension of PC Julian while Sussex Police conducted an investigation.
Charges against him were later authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service.
PC Julian underwent a criminal trial in 2024 related to the alleged assault, which occurred in the early hours of 17th August 2021.
He denied the charges and was acquitted of three counts of sexual assault, causing a woman to engage in sexual activity without consent, and attempted rape by a jury at Lewes Crown Court in April 2024.
During the misconduct hearing, it was noted that the standards of professional behaviour were breached in a hotel room in Kent, where PC Julian and the other officer were attending a police training course.
Detective Superintendent Andy Wolstenholme commented on the case:
“This 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.
"When supporting victims, we are clear that ‘no means no’, there is no ambiguity, and so when PC Julian tried to initiate an intimate encounter and was told ‘no’ repeatedly, it was clear that he knew that his behaviour was entirely inappropriate, yet he continued regardless.
"He has been dismissed as a result. We are unequivocable; 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."