Detectives drank on the job, then submitted receipts for reimbursement, report says

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Two Melbourne police detectives participating in a prostitution sting in October were disciplined after investigators said it was discovered they were drinking on the job.

The detectives involved were identified as Rodney Anderson and Eric Gould, who were both still on the job at the Melbourne Police Department.

During the sting, the detectives went to a liquor store and purchased a 12-pack of beer and then bought another at a gas station, the report said.

They apparently submitted the receipts to the department, at which point a supervisor found a discrepancy and discovered the receipts were for alcohol, the report said.

Three female officers involved in the sting told internal affairs investigators they drank some beer, but that Anderson and Gould drank most of it.

“This is a very disheartening situation,” Melbourne Police Cmdr. Dan Lynch said.

Anderson was found to have violated three department policies and was suspended without pay for 80 hours, the report said.

Gould was found to have violated six policies and was suspended without pay for 40 hours and demoted to patrol, it said.

The punishment was appropriate, Lynch said.

“A hefty suspension is the equivalent to a fine,” he said. “A very significant fine.”

Cox Media Group