The head of the National Police is under investigation for sexual assault against a female officer.

BarcelonaA judge in Madrid has summoned the Deputy Director of Operations (DAO) of the National Police, José Ángel González, to testify as a suspect following a complaint filed by a female officer alleging sexual assault. The summons was issued on Thursday, February 12, and was made public this Tuesday. Minutes after it was released, sources from the Ministry of the Interior reported that González has resigned from his post and that the move will take effect "in the coming hours." He will be temporarily replaced by the Deputy Director of Human Resources, Gemma Barroso. González is scheduled to testify on March 17 at the Madrid Court for Violence Against Women No. 8. On the same day, the judge will also take a statement from the officer who filed the complaint against the commissioner. Specifically, the officer alleges that González, with whom she had a "romantic relationship," sexually assaulted her in an official residence owned by the Ministry of the Interior. The complaint that triggered this judicial investigation dates back to April of last year, when the woman explained that she was pressured into going to this residence while on duty. Furthermore, after the assault, she was allegedly coerced not to report it.

"Unequivocal denials"

The Deputy Director of Operations is the highest-ranking police officer in the National Police Corps, second only to the Director General, a position that carries out the political direction of the force and is currently held by Francisco Pardo. The complainant has included an audio recording with her complaint against the Deputy Director of Operations and has emphasized the "unequivocal, clear, and persistent refusals" she gave. The text also refers to the physical violence and "environmental intimidation" to which she was subjected, as well as a "situation of isolation, physical superiority, and environmental authority."

The magistrate specializing in violence against women who has taken charge of the case has accepted the complaint and summoned both parties to testify after confirming that the events reported by the woman "present characteristics that suggest the possible existence of sexual assault." The lawyer representing the officer, Jorge Piedrafita, explained that the lawsuit also requests the court to investigate the police chief for the alleged crimes of coercion, psychological harm, and embezzlement, in addition to the sexual assault charge.