TUCSON, Ariz. — TUCSON, Ariz. - There's new information on the recent arrest of a Tucson Police officer.
An interim police complaint sheds some light on what led up to Officer Richard Daniel's arrest and his charge of sexual misconduct with a woman he was investigating.
KGUN9 obtained the report Tuesday afternoon that paints a graphic picture of allegations against Officer Daniel. We sat down with Tucson Police Assistant Chief Carla Johnson, who says the department is taking this very seriously.
Officer Daniel now sits on the other side of the law, only three years into his job at Tucson Police.
"He had no history in internal affairs of a founded allegation," Johnson said. "He was hired with no concerns in his background investigation."
Officer Daniel is accused of making sexual contact with a woman in exchange for not taking her to jail. Johnson calls the detailed allegations in the police report are heinous.
"If the allegations are true, this is really appalling," Johnson said. "Really outrageous behavior."
The report states Officer Daniel asked the woman he was investigating for sexual favors on January 13. She had an outstanding warrant for her arrest, and she agreed, to avoid going to jail.
NEW DETAILS: Interim police complaint states Tucson Police Officer Richard Daniel asked a woman he was investigating for sexual favors — in exchange for her outstanding warrant to be “squashed.” @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/rq854uUbd5
— Natalie Tarangioli (@ntarangioli) January 23, 2019
The report goes on to say the sexual act took place at the woman's apartment, and evidence was found there that matched Officer Daniel's DNA.
Tucson Police arrested Officer Daniel on Jan. 20 on charges of one count of unlawful sexual conduct and one count of tampering with physical evidence. He made his initial court appearance and was released to pre-trial services. He has been placed on leave without pay and was served a notice of intent to terminate.
"Frankly, these allegations are so appalling, so serious in nature," Johnson said. "Nobody I know on this agency wants somebody working at their side who would be guilty of these things. We are highly motivated to do a competent and thorough investigation."
