Detroit Police Chief Suspended in Sex Scandal

Chief Ralph Godbee Jr. faces his second sex scandal in two years after being accused of an affair with a subordinate.

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Rebecca Cook / Reuters

Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee during a press conference at the Northeastern District police station in Detroit, Michigan, January 6, 2012.

For the second time in his two-year tenure, Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee Jr. has found himself embroiled in a sex scandal. Godbee has been suspended over allegations that he had an affair with a subordinate, Internal Affairs officer Angelica Robinson, ABC News reports.

The alleged relationship was revealed when Robinson, 37, tweeted about her involvement with 44-year-old Godbee — who is married — after she learned he was at a San Diego police officers’ conference with a third woman, according to WXYZ-TV. Authorities reportedly stepped in when she posted a photograph of a gun in her mouth.

“After learning of the allegations regarding Chief Ralph Godbee, I have placed him on a 30-day suspension pending a full and thorough investigation of this matter,” Detroit Mayor Dave Bing said in a statement. “In the interim, Assistant Chief Chester Logan will assume the duties and responsibilities of police chief.”

A spokesman from the mayor’s office told ABCNews.com that the suspension does not confirm wrongdoing and that there is no policy against relations between officers and subordinates.

(LISTEN: Alleged mistress in Detroit Police Chief Scandal)

Robinson, who is also married, told WXYZ that her relationship with Godbee began in 2011 when they began communicating on Facebook and later started “hooking up.” Robinson said Godbee should “absolutely” lose his position as police chief.

This is not the first time Godbee has faced allegations of inappropriate conduct.  In 2010, he replaced Police Chief Warren Evans after Evans was accused of a relationship with police officer Monique Patterson, but text messages soon surfaced that suggested Godbee also had an affair with Patterson, WXYZ reports.

Robinson claims she ended her relationship with Godbee because he lied to her and was involved with other women. Unsurprisingly, court records indicate that Godbee and his wife are divorcing.

Although relationships within the department are not expressly prohibited, Detroit’s Law Enforcement Code of Ethics indicates that officers are to be “honest in thought and deed” personally and professionally, while maintaining an “unsullied” private life that serves “as an example to all.”

(WATCH: Detroit’s top cop has been suspended)