LAPD rookie arrested on suspicion of child rape, quits his job

A young Los Angeles police officer who resigned after facing allegations of sexual assault was arrested Thursday on suspicion of raping a child under the age of 14.

Diego Jose Miranda Lopez, 23, a recent graduate of the police academy and was serving as a parole officer in the North Hollywood area when investigators confronted him with sex crimes allegations. He resigned from his job with the police department, which can fire parole officers for misconduct, the LAPD said in a statement.

The sexual assault allegations predate Lopez’s joining the force, authorities said in a statement announcing his arrest late Thursday night. He is being held without bail at the LAPD’s Valley Jail.

The investigation is being conducted by the LAPD’s Juvenile Division, which deals with sex crimes against children.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is expected to review Lopez’s case on Monday and decide whether to file suit.

This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.