EspañolEX-LAPD Officer Paul Razo Charged With 8 Counts of Lewd Acts With A Child
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (MAy 16, 2023) – A former Los Angeles Police Department officer identified as Paul Razo has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting at least four boys.
The allegations were detailed in a press release by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Paul Razo was taken into custody on May 10 following an investigation by the Special Victims Bureau.
The defendant is facing a total of eight counts of lewd acts with a child. Two of the alleged victims are related to the defendant. One of the children was about 11 or 12 when the abuse began and the other was around 13.
The other two victims were sons of a woman that the defendant was dating. It is believed that the sexual assaults took place between 2007 to 2016 when Paul Razo was living in Covina and an active LAPD officer. His bail is set at $2.5 million.
Anyone with more information can leave anonymous tips with Crime Stoppers. This arrest comes just a few weeks after Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Officer Diego Jose Miranda was arrested on child rape charges.
Liability For Sexual Assaults Involving LAPD Officers
Police officers have a great deal of authority both formally and informally. Failing to obey the commands of a police officer can lead to severe consequences including imprisonment. It is for this reason that abuses of power by law enforcement can be so troubling and consequential. According to research from Bowling Green State University, police officers across the United States were charged with rape a total of 405 times between the years of 2005 and 2013. Another 605 officers were charged with forcible touching. There are a number of steps that law enforcement can take to help prevent instances of sexual abuse in their ranks.
- Police officers should be properly monitored during their time on duty. In most instances, this will include police officers wearing body cameras.
- All instances of suspected sexual harassment or abuse involving officers should be thoroughly investigated.
- Police officers should receive sexual assault awareness and prevention training.
Police officers that sexually abuse children can be held accountable through both criminal and civil claims. Pursuant to California Penal Code 288, it is a crime for a person to commit any lewd or lascivious act on a child under 16 years of age. This includes instances of touching or groping. The touching does not need to be on bare skin. Unlike adults, children are not able to give informed consent to sexual conduct.
The police department that an officer worked for could also be liable for the sexual misconduct of one of their officers. It is illegal for police officers to deprive suspects of their rights under the colour of law. Consider, for example, Rogers v. City of Little Rock. An 8th circuit court found that the officer in that case acted under the “colour of law” when he followed a woman to her home and allegedly raped her. His actions constituted a civil rights violation. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any instance of sexual abuse involving a police officer.
- A police report of the incident should be created.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- An experienced police misconduct attorney should be consulted.
Sadly, sexual abuse by police officers are rarely isolated instances. It is common for abusers to have multiple victims over many years or even decades. This type of abuse tends to thrive when people in positions of power turn a blind eye to what is going on. Any person that is the victim of sexual abuse involving a police officer may have legal recourse through a civil claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the costs that come from the severe trauma associated with sexual abuse and rape.
Investigating Sexual Abuse By LAPD Officers
We at Carrillo Law Firm, LLP extend our best wishes to all of the children who may have been harmed by the actions of officer Paul Razo. The presence of other victims is something that the LAPD needs to investigate thoroughly. This is the second major arrest involving an LAPD officer for sexual abuse in the last few weeks. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent this from happening again.
Have you or someone that you care about been sexually abused by a Los Angeles Police Department officer? You may have legal recourse. Our team of experienced police misconduct attorneys are here for you. We have recovered hundreds of millions for our deserving clients and will fight tirelessly on your behalf. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support we may be able to help. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375. Se habla español.
