Nov. 19--An Orlando police officer has been arrested in an oxycodone sting while on duty, police Chief Paul Rooney said tonight.
Officer Jaime Bridges, an 11-year veteran, was arrested on charges of purchase of, official misconduct and receiving unlawful compensation for official behavior, all felonies.
Rooney told reporters at a news conference at police headquarters that Bridges bought two pills from a confidential informant on east Colonial Drive about 6 tonight. The informant tipped off police earlier this week that Bridges, 34, had asked to buy the pills, he said.
Jail records show the pills were Tylox, capsules containing acetaminophen and oxycodone.
Bridges, a north-side patrol office, had just started work for the night. She normally works the midnight shift, which begins about 5:30 p.m. She was summoned to a police substation, where she was arrested.
Bridges was relieved of duty with pay while criminal and internal investigations are conducted, the chief said. She was being held early today at the Orange County Jail but was in the process of posting bail, which was set at $2,800.
Many questions remained unanswered, including whether Bridges has a history of drug abuse or if she had been prescribed oxycodone in the past. She worked in the drug unit for about two years and met the informant in the course of her duties, though not necessarily when she was on that unit, Rooney said.
The department conducts random annual drug tests of officers, but Rooney said he did not know when Bridges was last tested.
Bridges' disciplinary history was not available late today. In 2008, she was accused of failing to obey laws and department procedures, but the allegations were not sustained, March 2009 Citizens' Police Review Board meeting minutes show.
Rooney lamented the "epidemic" of prescription drug abuse and said his agency is working with the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation to close pill mills.
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