SANFORD, Fla. – A Sanford police officer has been arrested and charged in a major fraud scheme involving fake off-duty jobs. Ronny Neal, 22-year veteran of the Sanford Police Department (SPD) and former off-duty detail coordinator, faces 79 counts of official misconduct and one count of organized fraud, authorities announced Tuesday, Dec. 16.
According to the SPD, Neal allegedly created fictitious off-duty details over nearly a year and billed the City of Sanford for hours he never worked. The investigation began after the City Finance Department discovered discrepancies while reviewing unpaid vendor accounts related to off-duty details.
Sanford Police Chief Cecil E. Smith expressed outrage over the scheme. “Betrayed and disgusted do not come close to describing how I feel,” Smith said. “He chose day after day to lie, cheat, and steal from the community he took an oath to serve and protect, using his badge as a shield to hide his criminal acts. We will do everything in our power to ensure he answers for every cent he stole and every lie he told.”
Neal’s alleged misconduct occurred between October 1, 2023, and July 28, 2024. During that time, he reportedly fabricated off-duty details and submitted timesheets charging the city for work he never performed. Neal, who previously served as a SPD spokesperson and investigator in the Professional Standards Unit, was relieved of duty on Dec. 9 and placed on administrative leave.
Off-duty law enforcement jobs, also called “pay jobs” or “extra-duty employment,” typically involve security, traffic control, or crowd management for private employers or city events. The City of Sanford sets a pay scale of $60 per hour for off-duty officers, with higher rates for union-negotiated holidays and supervisory roles.
The case underscores the potential for abuse in off-duty employment programs and raises serious questions about oversight of law enforcement payroll practices.
