Charges against Melbourne officer accused of drunk driving dropped
The state attorney decided not to prosecute a Melbourne police officer who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
When an officer pulled over Melbourne police officer Audrey Poole last year, he started a chain reaction of events that's triggering a lot of questions.
Poole was off-duty and in her own car.
Suspecting that Poole was drunk, the officer began the normal routine of DUI tests. Authorities said Poole refused to take a breath test and wound up collapsing to the ground, pleading with the officer.
Poole was arrested, but not prosecuted.
The state attorney concluded there was not enough evidence to convict her.
A prominent attorney with DUI experience said cases such as Poole's are rarely dropped, but hers was.
Poole's driver's license was suspended because of her refusal to take the breath test.
She's allowed to drive if her job requires it.
Her job requires her to drive a patrol car, often to pull over suspected drunk drivers.
The police department suspended her for a week. Poole is now back on the job.