Florida cop shows up ‘wasted’ to accept MADD award for DUI arrests

A Florida police officer is nursing a shameful hangover after reports he showed up at a Mother’s Against Drunk Driving conference totally wasted.

Officer Michael Szeliga was set to be presented with an honour from the non-profit at their Fort Lauderdale conference in July. The award, ironically, was for making more than 100 DUI arrests on patrol. He was also expected to attend two days of DUI law enforcement training, but boozing seemed to have gotten in the way.

According to a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office internal affairs investigation, obtained by WFLA, Szeliga arrived to the ceremony too drunk to walk. When a police chief confronted him, instructing that he stay away from the 200-person banquet, Szeliga allegedly hurled “disrespectful” comments at him.

Apparently, his binge had started earlier in the day, when Szeliga decided to forgo DUI enforcement training. He had attended a session in the morning but left to drink a few coke and whiskey cocktails and spend time at the pool, playing the beanbag game “cornhole.” The officer was technically on duty during this time.

Szeliga was suspended with pay for one day for being drunk on duty and for his disrespectful behavior towards the chief, who confronted him.