MELBOURNE, Fla. — A Melbourne police officer was arrested early Thursday morning on prostitution charges, the Melbourne Police Department said.
Officer Shawn Archbold was on duty when he offered a prostitute $40 for sex, said police.
The Melbourne Police Department said it became aware of the allegations against Archbold four months ago after a complaint from the prostitute.
Melbourne Police Chief Steve Mimbs said he began an investigation using undercover officers to determine if the allegations were true.
"That investigation did result in absolutely proving that, in my mind, that this officer has violated these state laws," said Mimbs. “This kind of thing cannot be tolerated in the Melbourne Police Department or law enforcement in general."
Mimbs said the officer's conduct is not indicative of the work the men and women of his department do every day.