Fort Pierce police officer Joan Francis facing prescription drug charges, on leave

 FORT PIERCE — Police placed an eight-year veteran officer on administrative leave with pay after she was charged Friday with three counts of fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance, spokesman Sgt. Dennis McWilliams said.

Officer Joan Francis was charged as part of an investigation by the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office. The crimes were described as doctor shopping, McWilliams said. Francis posted $15,000 bond at the St. Lucie County Jail.

The administrative leave will be in place through the judicial review of the charges, McWilliams said. Francis joined Fort Pierce Police in 2002 as a police aide. She became an officer in 2004.