MELBOURNE, Fla. – A Melbourne police officer who was under investigation on suspicion of driving under the influence has resigned.
Peter Dolci was pulled over Jan. 20 by a Palm Bay police officer, who said Dolci was speeding and drifting in his lane.
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Dolci claimed he was speeding because he needed to use the restroom and was drifting because a sex act was being performed on him, according to authorities. He also claimed he had not been drinking, but his passenger had, officials said.
The officer who pulled Dolci over gave him a field sobriety exercise, but cut it short and gave Dolci the option of continuing the test or having a friend pick him up, officials said. Dolci reportedly chose the latter.
Dolci was placed on administrative leave while the incident was investigated.
Weeks later, in February, Palm Bay police said they ticketed Dolci for going 71 mph in a 45 mph zone.
Tuesday, News 6 received the Melbourne Police Department’s internal investigation revealing Dolci was already in trouble at the time of his traffic stops.
In November, police said Dolci twice called in sick when he was actually at bars and theme parks.
Chief David Gilespie concluded there was a pattern of poor behavior writing to Dolci, “Your actions reflect poorly on the department and I have lost confidence in your ability to serve in a position of public trust. I do not feel it would be appropriate to continue to employ you as a police officer with the city, and I believe that termination of your employment is warranted.’’
During his review, Dolci again said he was not drinking before the Jan. 20 stop, but Palm Bay officer Eddie Lutz, in his interview, said he definitely thought Dolci was under the influence of alcohol.
Then Lutz said he did not have strong evidence that Dolci was impaired when asked about his decision to let Dolci get a ride.
Before Melbourne police, Dolci worked for Palm Bay police.
Palm Bay police supported Lutz’s decision to allow Dolci to call for a ride.
Instead of waiting for his termination to be effective Friday, Melbourne police said Dolci submitted his resignation on Monday.