LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said in a news conference that he himself arrested the officer who is accused of having a relationship with a 15-year old cadet.
Robert Cain, 31, is a 10-year LAPD veteran and worked at the same station where six of seven cadets are accused of stealing patrol cars.
Chief Beck said he walked up to Cain Thursday morning and placed him in handcuffs to make an example out of him.
“It was done at 77th Division and it was done in a way that everybody would know it was done. I told him ‘you’re under arrest for unlawful sex with a minor’,” said Beck.
Detectives learned about the alleged relationship when they went through the cell phone of one of the teenage cadets who was arrested. Beck said he is taking the allegations very seriously.
“These are the best detectives in the world and they are working this case because that’s how important it is to me. That if you trust your kids to the Los Angeles Police Department that I can look you in the eye and tell you that they’re safe.”
Cain worked as the 77th Division equipment operator and possibly knew about the cadets’ actions.
