A former Sussex Police officer has been dismissed from the force after sexually assaulting two colleagues and making inappropriate sexual comments while off duty.
Olivia Clinton, 30, who was previously based in the East Sussex division, was the subject of a misconduct hearing held on 23 April at Sussex Police Headquarters. The hearing was chaired by Assistant Chief Constable Peter Gardner of Surrey Police, in line with the updated Police (Conduct) (Amendment) Regulations 2024, which now require chief officer oversight for such proceedings.
The misconduct panel — which included two Independent Panel Members appointed by the local policing body — heard that Clinton attended a social event on 4 January 2024, during which she inappropriately touched two colleagues and made sexual remarks towards them.
Following the incident, Clinton was suspended from duty while an internal investigation was launched. Although her actions did not meet the threshold for criminal prosecution, it was deemed serious enough to warrant disciplinary action. Clinton resigned from the force in February before the misconduct hearing took place.
The panel ruled that Clinton’s behaviour breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour, particularly in regard to discreditable conduct and authority, respect and courtesy. These breaches were deemed to constitute gross misconduct, which the former officer admitted.
As a result of the ruling, Clinton will now be placed on the College of Policing Barred List, preventing her from working in policing in the future.
Detective Superintendent Andy Wolstenholme, Deputy Head of the Force’s Professional Standards Department, said:
“The officer’s actions were unwanted and invasive. This was extremely concerning because police officers and staff must behave in a manner that does not discredit the police service or undermine public confidence, whether on or off duty.
All staff are aware of the standards of professional behaviour, and the force remains committed to holding officers to account where they fall below the high standards the public rightly expect.”
The case underscores Sussex Police’s continued efforts to uphold integrity and public trust through robust accountability.
