J.D. Gallop

FLORIDA TODAY

An on-duty Melbourne police officer was arrested Thursday after officials said he offered cash to a prostitute who actually turned out to be an undercover agent.

The arrest of the 27-year-old Shawn Archbold is the latest in a series of investigations into officer behavior at the 169-officer agency. A firm but candid Melbourne Police Chief Steve Mimbs talked directly about the recent incidents along with today's arrest, vowing to move the agency forward in changing its internal culture.

"This is something I take very seriously," said Mimbs, surrounded by eight ranking staff members during a press conference in front of the department headquarters "It violates public trust and will not be tolerated. The men and women of this department do a very good job to put the bad guys in jail. This type of conduct detracts from that."

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Archbold, who was in uniform at the time, was arrested when he returned to the police department after patrol and booked into the Brevard County Jail Complex in Sharpes. The charge: engage or committing prostitution.

Mimbs is working to hire an outside agency to review the department's policies and procedures.

"If I emulate and do the right thing, they will as well. I have a lot of confidence in the men and women in my own police department. This is not representative of the agency's work. We can't predict when something like this will happen," he said, referring to Archbold.

Archbold, who lives in Palm Bay, posted a $500 bond and left the jail at 7:48 a.m. today.

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The woman, who police said Archbold approached while in his patrol car, was actually an undercover agent who was wearing a hidden microphone. The department's special investigation unit was already engaged in a covert prostitution sting when the officer came in contact with the woman. Police reported that Archbold began talking with the woman and struck up a deal to pay $40 in sexual acts at a nearby location at about 4 a.m.

The officer even went to an ATM to withdraw cash to take back to the woman but was called back to the police department. Once he arrived, he was taken into custody, reports show.

Mimbs, who had already begun an inquiry into similar allegations against Archbold four months ago, initiated efforts to formally terminate the officer. In that case, a known prostitute relayed allegations about the officer.

Archbold, who joined the force in August 2012, has already been suspended without pay. Mimbs working to have the officer formally fired.

"It was an act of prostitution, pure and simple," Mimbs said. "If it's true, it's egregious and its got to be dealt with."

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