A Hayward police officer was charged Wednesday with accepting a bribe following a San Jose police investigation into prostitution, according to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. The DA’s office said Benjamin Yarbough, 48, was charged with accepting a bribe after “unlawfully and knowingly” accepting free access to sex workers and $1,000. Officials added these allegations arose during a San Jose police investigation into prostitution in July 2025. After learning about the possible misconduct, San Jose police notified the Hayward Police Department. Hayward police then notified the DA’s office, according to authorities. “As police officers, we are held to a higher standard and the allegations in this case, if proven to be true, strike at the core of who we are as a profession. They are not representative of the dedicated, professional men and women of the Hayward Police Department or the policing profession,” said Hayward Police Department’s Chief Bryan Matthews. “As Chief, I want to assure our community that we take all allegations of misconduct, including allegations of criminal conduct, very seriously and any criminal conduct on the part of any Hayward Police Department employee will not be tolerated regardless of any personal relationships that may exist.” “Any Hayward Police Department employee who is found to have engaged in criminal conduct will be held accountable within the boundaries of the law and department policy,” he continued. Hayward police said the officer was placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing. ...read more read less