Oakland's newest interim police chief is promising to restore trust in a department amid a growing sex scandal involving Oakland and several other Bay Area departments.
"I'm focused on getting the job done," Oakland Police Department acting police chief Paul Figueroa said.
Figueroa said being appointed top cop was a surprise, but he's getting right to work.
Officials announced Oakland Police interim Chief Ben Fairow has been relieved of his duties.
On Wednesday afternoon, officials announced an inspector in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office was put on administrative leave in possible connection to the widening sex scandal involving a teen girl.
"While it is our practice not to discuss pending investigations, I can firmly state that we do not and will not turn a blind eye to human trafficking or the sexual exploitation of a minor, whether the offender is a civilian or a law enforcement officer," Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley said. "The alleged conduct of the officers in this matter is not in line with what our office and the wider community feel is acceptable for those who are sworn to protect and serve."
WATCH VIDEO: Several Bay Area officers under investigation for possible involvement in sex scandal
Last week Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff said Fairow was the person who could lead the city's department through a difficult time. On Wednesday, she had to acknowledge she made a mistake.
"I take responsibility for this decision," she said.
Just six days after appointing Fairow, Schaaf had to take it back after learning new information about her selection.
"The information that I received raised concerns for me about whether he can effectively lead this department at this particular moment in time and during this critical transition," Schaff said.
"I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity," Fairow said.
Fairow was on loan from the BART police force. Before that, Fairow spent many years with the Oakland Police Department.
"I'm shocked, my members are seeking some kind of stability and this is the furthest you could come from stability," Oakland Police Officers Association spokesperson Barry Donelan said.
Schaaf brought Fairow in last week, when former Oakland Police Department Chief Sean Whent resigned amid a growing sex scandal involving as many as 14 Oakland officers and inappropriate relationships with a teenager who calls herself Celeste Guap.
Although Schaaf wouldn't say what information led her to dismiss Fairow, ABC7 News learned he had an inappropriate sexual relationship years ago that is unrelated to the current Oakland Police Department scandal.
"Everything that's been going on since this story broke has been embarrassing. The question is how much more embarrassing can it get," Oakland City Councilmember Larry Reid said.
The BART police chief welcomed Fairow back to his ranks releasing a statement saying:
"Ben has shared information with me that while he was married, he had a personal relationship with a consenting adult, more than a decade ago. None of which precludes him from serving as a sworn law enforcement officer or as one of my deputy chiefs."
While Schaaf named Figueroa as the acting chief, she said she plans to look outside the department for a permanent replacement.
Earlier, Burris and Jim Chanin annouced they want increased federal oversight of the Oakland Police Department's recruitment and hiring practices, given the officers involved in the current sex scandal were all hired after 2013.
The sex scandal has been confined to departments in the East Bay, but ABC7 News learned Wednesday that San Francisco police are now also conducting a review to determine if any of their officers had inappropriate contact with the teen girl at the center of the sex scandal in the East Bay.
New acting OPD chief Paul Figueroa says he's ready for new job, amid dept. sex scandal. #abc7now pic.twitter.com/DeAL02w4k7
— Cbarnard (@CornellBarnard) June 16, 2016
.@SFBART Police Chief on Ben Fairow: "while he was married, he had a personal relationship with a consenting adult more than a decade ago."
— Laura Anthony (@LauraAnthony7) June 16, 2016
Sources: @oaklandpoliceca ex-interim chief had past inappropriate sexual relationship, unrelated to current scandal. pic.twitter.com/fgSybXHJIr
— Laura Anthony (@LauraAnthony7) June 15, 2016
.@Oakland councilman Reid after removal of interim chief & @oaklandpoliceca scandal. "This city is in shambles." pic.twitter.com/6fgSNMWGWw
— Laura Anthony (@LauraAnthony7) June 15, 2016
.@LibbySchaaf says learned of info that caused her to lose confidence in Fairow Mon. Would not say what that was. pic.twitter.com/9nKmJnwa4I
— Laura Anthony (@LauraAnthony7) June 15, 2016
New @oaklandpoliceca interim chief Paul Figueroa. He is not at press conference. @LibbySchaaf "He's out on the job." pic.twitter.com/MiqUJtERck
— Laura Anthony (@LauraAnthony7) June 15, 2016
.@LibbySchaaf says she's inclined to select permanent chief from outside @oaklandpoliceca. pic.twitter.com/IMcNqD92d6
— Laura Anthony (@LauraAnthony7) June 15, 2016
.@LibbySchaaf on dismissal of interim chief Ben Fairow. pic.twitter.com/SwrbzD2Ihk
— Laura Anthony (@LauraAnthony7) June 15, 2016
.@LibbySchaaf on dismissing interim chief Ben Fairow. pic.twitter.com/CyMaCJtXCM
— Laura Anthony (@LauraAnthony7) June 15, 2016
#BREAKING Source says @oaklandpoliceca new interim chief Ben Fairow has been relieved of his duties immediately.
— Laura Anthony (@LauraAnthony7) June 15, 2016
#DEVELOPING OPOA Pres. Barry Donelan confirms he's been told by @Oakland administration that @oaklandpoliceca int. chief Ben Fairow out.
— Laura Anthony (@LauraAnthony7) June 15, 2016
#DEVELOPING OPOA Pres. Barry Donelan confirms he's been told by @Oakland administration that @oaklandpoliceca int. chief Ben Fairow out.
— Laura Anthony (@LauraAnthony7) June 15, 2016