A former Los Angeles Police Department officer faces charges for allegedly lifting debit and credit cards from individuals at a detention center's security checkpoint. Edmond Babaians, the accused, is set to hear the charges formally when he appears in court this Thursday.

According to a statement from Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, the 15-year veteran of the LAPD purportedly breached public trust by participating in the theft of visitors cards, between approximately July 14 and July 23, 2023. "Law enforcement is entrusted with protecting and serving the community, and the alleged actions of former officer Babaians in the course of his duties severely breaches this trust," Gascón stated. Babaians has been hit with three felony and one misdemeanor count of unlawful use of access cards, an act that, if it leads to a conviction, could result in a maximum sentence of over five years in county jail.

Duty, for Babaians, once denoted securing the Metropolitan Detention Center lobby and ensuring no contraband slipped through as visitors came to see those in custody. Investigations suggest, however, that during his watch he did more than monitor, he allegedly purloined debit and credit cards before making several illicit purchases.

The revelation has raised alarms about oversight and integrity within the force – undermining the image of the LAPD as guardians of the metropolis. Babaians, with a bail set at $20,000, is currently awaiting arraignment. The case has been at the hands of the LAPD’s Internal Affairs Division. Met with widespread disappointment, if the allegations prove true, it emphasizes the cracks in the internal systems meant to hold officers accountable.

The Los Angeles Police Department encourages anyone who believes they could be a victim of these alleged thefts to come forward.