A former Avon and Somerset police officer, James Gullis, 28, has been given a suspended prison sentence after admitting to making indecent images of children. He pleaded guilty to the offences in February and received a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Following an investigation by Avon and Somerset Police’s Professional Standards Department, Gullis has been banned from any future law enforcement roles and resigned after gross misconduct was proven.
Gullis was arrested in December 2023 after information from the National Crime Agency (NCA) and was subsequently suspended from duty. The charges included making indecent images of children – categories A, B, and C, possession of prohibited images of children, and possession of extreme pornography. The criminal process found Gullis had breached the honesty, integrity, and discreditable conduct standards under the Standards of Professional Behaviour for police officers.
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Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall expressed the force’s commitment to taking robust action when standards are not met and highlighted the majority of officers and staff’s dedication to serving and keeping communities safe. Gullis' arrest and suspension from duty occurred after the National Crime Agency provided information to the force.
During the virtual misconduct hearing, PC Gullis was found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour in terms of honesty and integrity, and discreditable conduct, amounting to gross misconduct following his conviction at Exeter Magistrates' Court.