Ramirez returned moments later with a police officer who explained to the woman that she had just sold liquor to an underage decoy. We felt really bad about it. But she should've known better. Ramirez is one of several cadets at the Oakland police department who have worked as minor decoys. The program relies on underage decoys as the most effective way to enforce the 21 and over law in Oakland's 857 establishments licensed by the state's department of Alcohol Beverage Control.
Police say the minor decoy program is effective.
Many in the industry say it is entrapment. The cadets say it's exciting. Standing in the cadet office at the police department, he wears adidas sports gear from head to foot-a slick nylon jogging suit with matching leather sneakers. Despite a new goatee, the outfit and the occasional pimple give away his youth. Special assignments are usually exciting.