LB Briefs: Long Beach Enters Yellow Tier And LBPD Arrests LAPD Officer

May 5

Long Beach Enters Yellow Tier

LONG BEACH – The Health and Human Services Department has issued an updated Health Order, effective on May 5, as Long Beach enters the Yellow, or Minimal Tier, the third of four tiers outlined under the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

Mayor Robert Garcia said thanks to Long Beach’s collective efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we can now move into the Yellow Tier. We’re making tremendous progress and it’s important that we all continue to follow the safety measures to keep our community safe.

Details: Below is an overview of the revised Health Order.

http://longbeach.gov/novel-coronavirus/health-orders/safer-at-home-health-order 

May 5

LAPD Officer Arrested For Possession Of Child Sexual Abuse Material

LONG BEACH —The Long Beach Police Department has made an arrest of a police officer currently employed with the Los Angeles Police Department and booked for charges related to child sexual abuse material.

In October of 2020, detectives from the Long Beach Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding possible online distribution or sharing of child sexual abuse material. During their investigation, detectives gathered sufficient information to identify the suspect and develop probable cause for an arrest.

Detectives identified the suspect responsible for these alleged crimes as 52-year-old James Diamond. On Wednesday morning, May 5, 2021, Diamond was taken into custody in the City of Huntington Beach as he was outside of a business on the 5000 block of Bolsa Avenue. Search warrants were subsequently served at Diamond’s residence in the City of Long Beach and at his place of employment in the City of Los Angeles. Diamond was booked on two felony counts of Possession of Child Pornography and two felony counts of Distribution of Obscene Matter Depicting a Minor. Diamond’s bail was set at $100,000.

The Los Angeles Police Department’s Professional Standards Bureau has been notified of Diamond’s arrest and the department will be conducting an administrative investigation. Any questions related to Diamond’s employment status or the administrative investigation can be directed to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Anyone with any information regarding the investigation is urged to contact LBPD computer crimes detectives Julie Lacey or Laurie Barajas at 562-570-7223.