Police officer Fiona Anderson faces misconduct case after trial acquittal

A police officer who was acquitted of two counts of sexual assault will now face misconduct proceedings.

Fiona Anderson, 33, was found not guilty by a jury of sexually assaulting a woman following a night out in Cardiff in 2018.

The officer, who serves with Devon and Cornwall Police, has been suspended since her arrest in 2023.

The force said the officer remained “subject to an ongoing misconduct process under police conduct regulations” following the conclusion of the criminal case at Bristol Crown Court.

“It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further on the specific circumstances of the case while those proceedings are continuing,” it said in a statement.

Anderson, from Exeter, was accused of forcing herself on the complainant after getting into her bed.

The complainant told the jury Anderson had said: “I know the law and I need you to say yes.”

But Anderson denied any non-consensual sexual activity had taken place, and told the court: “I would never say anything like that.”

Giving evidence, she told jurors she was “very drunk” and could not remember much of what happened that night.

Anderson was acquitted following a week-long trial at Bristol Crown Court.

In its statement, the force said: “We acknowledge the outcome reached by the court and thank all those involved in the investigation and judicial process.

“The criminal case has now concluded. However, the officer remains subject to an ongoing misconduct process under police conduct regulations.”