West Palm Beach police officer tried to sexually assault woman, police say

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A West Palm Beach police officer was arrested after police say he attempted to sexually assault a woman after responding to a 911 call.

James Bush, 33, was arrested on July 12 on charges of attempted sexual assault, armed robbery, false imprisonment, solicitation of prostitution and obstruction of justice.

According to a West Palm Beach police press release, Bush responded to an apartment complex near Village Boulevard shortly after 9 a.m. on July 10 after a man called police to eject his girlfriend from the building.

When Bush arrived, he ordered the man to leave.

According to police, the woman said Bush asked her if she wanted to “go upstairs and have some fun.” He then grabbed her arm, took her into a bedroom and tried to force her to perform oral sex on him, police said.

At one point, Bush offered her “$2,000 to buy her own apartment,” the police press release said. Bush eventually left the house.

The next day, on July 11, at around 1 p.m., the woman’s boyfriend called the police again and said he wanted a restraining order against his girlfriend.

According to police, Bush and another officer arrived at the apartment complex. The woman told the second officer that Bush had sexually assaulted her and that she had evidence on her phone.

“During an argument, Bush grabbed her phone and deleted the video, which was recovered during the subsequent investigation,” West Palm Beach police said in a press release.

Bush, who was hired by the police on January 11, 2021, was relieved of his duties and arrested on July 12.

“Bush admitted to some elements of the crimes when questioned by detectives,” the police press release said.

In a written statement, West Palm Beach Police Chief Frank Adderley said, “When someone abuses their position of power to commit a crime, we are obligated to act promptly in the best interest of the community we serve and hold accountable those who abuse the public trust. On behalf of the men and women dedicated to serving and protecting, this is not representative of the West Palm Beach Police Department. We have a zero tolerance policy toward misconduct and abuse of power and will hold those who violate their oath accountable.”

On Saturday, a judge set Bush’s bail at $341,000 and ordered him not to have any contact with the alleged victim or to carry any weapons.