INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis police officer allegedly admitted to not only inappropriately touching a child's body, but placing a small camera inside her room to spy on her, according to court documents.
Kamal Bola, 35, was arrested on Tuesday night in Hendricks County. The six-year veteran of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is now charged with child molesting as a Level 1 felony, child molesting as a Level 4 felony, sexual misconduct with a minor as a Level 4 and Level 6 felony, along with felony counts of voyeurism and obstruction of justice.
Bola could face up to 50 years in prison if convicted of a Level 1 felony.
Since his arrest, the suspect has been held without bond. During his initial hearing, a judge set the suspect's bond at $30,000 cash.
According to court documents, Bola allegedly admitted to most of the allegations brought against him once confronted by investigators.
According to the affidavit, the juvenile victim was cleaning her bedroom over the weekend when she found a small digital camera hidden on a bookshelf.
Prosecutors claim that the victim told her mother about the camera who then confronted the suspect.
Bola eventually admitted to purchasing the camera, according to the court documents, but when he failed to provide a good answer for why he placed the camera in the girl's room, the mother contacted police.
Investigators said Bola initially blurted out "I never touched her" when police began to question him about the camera, before even bringing up the allegations of his inappropriate touching of the child.
Bola eventually confessed, according to the investigators, and told police that "cuddling" with the child turned into him touching her body and her privates. Bola also admitted to pleasuring himself after touching the child, documents detail.
One of the cameras found in the child's room was reportedly smashed by Bola once he learned that police were investigating the case. He did admit to an investigator that police would find nude photos of the girl on his phone, according to court documents.
On Tuesday, the sheriff's office oversaw a forensic interview with the victim who detailed how Bola began molesting her nearly two years ago and that it continued until as recently as last weekend.
Bola initially denied touching the victim but later confessed and even wrote the girl a note apologizing for his behavior. In that note, Bola wrote, "I should've never put my hands on you… I am so ashamed and embarrassed… I have done something horrible and ruined everything. Please don't think of me as a monster."
IMPD Chief Chris Bailey suspended Bola from the force after learning of the allegations and arrest. Bailey is recommending his termination to the IMPD Civilian Police Merit Board.
Bailey called the allegations “disturbing and unacceptable.”
“Children must be able to trust that those in positions of authority will protect them at all times. We demand the highest standards of conduct from our officers, both on and off duty,” Bailey said in a statement. “These allegations represent a severe breach of trust the community places in law enforcement. Our thoughts are with the victim and their family. Ensuring the safety of our community, especially our most vulnerable members, is and will remain our highest priority.”
Sharing these sentiments, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett stated in an X (formerly Twitter post) “I was appalled to learn that an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer was arrested today for crimes involving a child. Chief Bailey’s swift action to suspend this particular officer and recommend him for termination to the IMPD Civilian Police Merit Board sends a clear message that IMPD does not and will not tolerate behavior such as this. My thoughts are with the victim and their family.”
Bola's arrest comes on the heels of another IMPD officer arrested for possession of child pornography.
Last month, IMPD Officer Javed Richards was arrested on child pornography charges and allegedly told detectives, “People don’t remember s*** about you except your tough moments, right? So, that’s what it does here, it creates an impression that this is who I am.”
Earlier this year, 24-year IMPD veteran Paul Humphrey was also accused of 10 counts of unlawful sexual contact with a child.
The Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police issued a statement on Thursday condemning the allegations brought forward against recent members of IMPD, calling the accusations of sexual abuse "deeply disturbing."
"Tragically, we are reminded that no profession is immune from such predatory possibilities," the FOP said.
To read more about the arrest of Bola and the reaction to several recent police officers being arrested, click here.
Jesse Wells contributed to this report.