All too often the long arm of the law has to look inside to discover crime from within its own ranks. It would be ideal if all law enforcement officials were completely moral and law-abiding. But that of course is an ideal, that realistically is too much to ask. This woman stole from her fellow officers.

A former Los Angeles police detective who lost millions of dollars given to her by fellow officers and other investors was charged with theft and fraud this week. It is the second time Darcey Greenfield has faced allegations that she misled investors in a real estate investment scheme. As reported in www.latimes.com.

The 41-year-old Greenfield was arrested and charged after police interviewer several victims and examined her bank records. She they believe they have sufficient evidence to prove she lied to her investors, her fellow officers.

Greenfield resigned in disgrace in 2011. Her lie: she told investors their money was being used to help homeowners who were facing foreclosure. In reality, she handed the funds over to a convicted felon, who disappeared with the cash. Why does this make me think of the Coen Brothers classic “Raising Arizona” starring Nicholas Cage?

She faces nine charges of securities fraud and grand theft involving the $865,000 she solicited from four investors. Total losses were probably far greater, however. Over several months in 2007 and 2008, she collected about $2 million from investors. San Bernardino County officials put the total amount raised from Los Angeles County residents at $3 million.

I am sure she feels badly. Whether it is because she stole from colleagues who trusted her or because she got caught, I think she should begin by taking a stop theft class.