Pinellas County deputy Michael Szeliga was being awarded a plaque by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers for making 100 DUI arrests.

He got too drunk to accept the award. The award was being presented at a two day DUI training for officers.  Szeliga skipped the training and went carousing around the hotel swimming pool instead.

He was described as “staggeringly drunk” by a witness at the Friday night banquet where he was slated to receive the MADD award.

Another officer reported seeing the deputy wearing “nothing but boxer shorts” in the hallway of the hotel.

He was so drunk that he had to hold on to the grass to keep from falling off.

Szeliga explained that he didn’t need to attend the train because he’s being transferred to the “crimes against children unit.”

Bad idea.  Real bad idea.

Thanks to Ralph for the heads up.