How not to keep your job with the police force – show up to training intoxicated. For the record it probably is not a good idea to show up to any job in a drunken state – let alone to the police academy.
Take the case of Brett Nelson, 24, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Nelson had successfully gone through the application process only to let his alcoholism show at the very wrong time.
Nelson showed up to classes at the training academy more than 1 1/2 hours late and was intoxicated. Sgt. Christopher Micknowski, who drove him to UPMC Mercy to be tested for drugs, wrote in a criminal complaint that Mr. Nelson's breath smelled of alcohol and his eyes were red and bloodshot.
Adding insult on top of insult Pittsburgh police officials finally terminated the recruit at the city's police academy who was charged with drunken driving as well.
A breath test showed Mr. Nelson's blood-alcohol content was 0.160, twice the legal limit to drive. His supervisors said he told them he had driven to class, and they found his car parked in the academy lot, according to the criminal complaint.
Wow, what a colossal screw up! Nelson obviously could use a serious alcohol awareness class.