Ben Fairow's reign as Oakland's top cop was, in a word, brief. Fairow—who replaced resigning police chief Sean Whent on Friday amid an investigation into possible underage sex and murder—was removed from his post Wednesday after just six days, reports the Los Angeles Times. During a background check, Mayor Libby Schaaf says she received information that "raised concerns for me about whether [Fairow] can effectively lead this department at this particular moment in time." She didn't elaborate, but the chief of the Bay Area Rapid Transit Police Department—where Fairow previously served and will return—says Fairow told him he had an affair with a consenting adult while married more than a decade ago, per the AP. Fairow worked for the Oakland Police Department at that time. Sources tell the East Bay Times that the other party was an employee, though a BART rep denies that.
While an officer's suicide note first suggested that four Oakland officers were involved with an underage prostitute, the woman now claims she had sexual contact with some two dozen officers from various agencies in exchange for protection or knowledge of prostitution stings in the works, including while she was underage; she is now 18. A Contra Costa County Sheriff's deputy has been suspended, two Oakland officers have resigned, and three are on administrative leave. "We are dealing with disgusting allegations that upset me greatly," says Schaaf. "I believe that the leadership at this time is critical in order to build confidence that the culture of this department does not tolerate unethical behavior, sexual misconduct, or lying." Assistant Police Chief Paul Figueroa has been appointed acting chief while the department searches for a permanent replacement. (More Oakland stories.)
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