LAPD chief inspects cadets at graduation ceremony despite recent misconduct

Los Angeles Police Department Police Chief Charie Beck inspected cadets on Saturday at the Galen Center near USC despite recent misconduct of cadets stealing and crashing LAPD cruisers on June 14, according to multiple media reports.

LAPD cadets, also known as police explorers in other agencies like the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, are young adults who go through training to get exposed to many aspects of law enforcement. Assigned officers serve as mentors to instill traits like discipline and leadership to the cadets.

However, an officer was recently arrested for allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old cadet, the Los Angeles Times reports. And weeks earlier, three cadets stole and crashed two police cruisers by using the identification of an officer on vacation.

On Saturday, more than 1,200 cadets graduated from cadet academy, an 18-week training period that includes physical training as well as classes in criminal law, public speaking and conflict resolution.

"These young people come into our lives, come into our facilities, come into our organization, as part of our family," Beck said, addressing the officers in attendance. "And you will protect them like they are your own."

A day before the graduation, Los Angeles Councilman Mitchell Englander filed a motion to audit LA police youth programs that involve interaction with adults.

The next academy is slated to start on August 19, the LAPD cadet program website states.

Prior to this AMs Cadet graduation, I inspected each cadet-I looked them in the eye & let them know that I care about them & this program pic.twitter.com/QICHxWOj9y — Chief Charlie Beck (@LAPDChiefBeck) June 24, 2017