Decisions, decisions. One wonders why he was ever considered in the first place. 
http://www.denverpost.com/news/news0801e.htm
Officials urge cop recruit's dismissal
By David Migoya
Denver Post Staff Writer
Aug. 1, 2000 - Three layers of Denver police commanders have recommended that controversial rookie Officer Ellis "Max" Johnson II be dismissed, police department sources said.
Now, Manager of Safety Ari Zavaras will decide whether to agree with those commanders or permanently give Johnson, 41, the prize he covets - a Denver police badge.
As Johnson awaits his fate, the panel formed by Mayor Wellington Webb to study the hiring practices that, in part, let Johnson into the police academy is poised to issue its recommendations.
The panel, headed by former Colorado Supreme Court Justice William Neighbors, has scheduled a news conference for this afternoon. Its report will focus on how officers and firefighters are hired, the city's testing methods and whether the city's current policy on past drug use by applicants should be changed.
The contents of the report, titled "Civil Service Commission Review Panel Recommendations," are a closely held secret. Not even L. Michael Henry, interim director of the Civil Service Commission, knows what to expect.
"We're going to work on it the minute we get it," Henry said Monday. "But first we have to get one. Any ideas?"
Neighbors refused to discuss the report or its contents, saying, "since we were appointed by the mayor and the City Council, they deserve to see it first." Zavaras was a member of the panel but resigned last month after Webb appointed him manager of safety.
Meanwhile, the saga of Johnson continued Monday as Zavaras prepared to review "a mountain of files and paperwork" about the rookie officer. The City Charter allows the manager of safety to dismiss an officer without cause during his or her first six months out of the academy.
Johnson was admitted to the academy by former Manager of Safety Fidel "Butch" Montoya Jr. despite Johnson's admitted history of extensive drug usage, theft from employers, domestic violence and Montoya's own rejection of him on a previous occasion.
Johnson, a one-time actor and psychologist, has been plagued with problems since his graduation in March and twice had been placed on remedial training. Johnson could not do multiple tasks necessary to be an effective police officer, such as simultaneously driving a police car, monitoring radio traffic and taking notes, sources said.
The 14-week field-training course requires passing grades from several officers and supervisors. Johnson was allowed to complete four additional weeks of remedial training, allowable under department policy.
Sources said three of five of Johnson's training officers recommended that he be dismissed. By Monday, the number of recommendations for Johnson's termination had increased to six after District 4 Capt. Rudy Sandoval, acting Patrol Division Chief Dan O'Hayre and Deputy Chief David Abrams weighed in.
Zavaras refused to discuss the matter. If tossed, Johnson will have failed to get hired 24 times at 19 different police departments. Johnson could not be reached for comment Monday.
Copyright 2000 The Denver Post.
[This message has been edited by Oatka (edited August 01, 2000).]
http://www.denverpost.com/news/news0801e.htm
Officials urge cop recruit's dismissal
By David Migoya
Denver Post Staff Writer
Aug. 1, 2000 - Three layers of Denver police commanders have recommended that controversial rookie Officer Ellis "Max" Johnson II be dismissed, police department sources said.
Now, Manager of Safety Ari Zavaras will decide whether to agree with those commanders or permanently give Johnson, 41, the prize he covets - a Denver police badge.
As Johnson awaits his fate, the panel formed by Mayor Wellington Webb to study the hiring practices that, in part, let Johnson into the police academy is poised to issue its recommendations.
The panel, headed by former Colorado Supreme Court Justice William Neighbors, has scheduled a news conference for this afternoon. Its report will focus on how officers and firefighters are hired, the city's testing methods and whether the city's current policy on past drug use by applicants should be changed.
The contents of the report, titled "Civil Service Commission Review Panel Recommendations," are a closely held secret. Not even L. Michael Henry, interim director of the Civil Service Commission, knows what to expect.
"We're going to work on it the minute we get it," Henry said Monday. "But first we have to get one. Any ideas?"
Neighbors refused to discuss the report or its contents, saying, "since we were appointed by the mayor and the City Council, they deserve to see it first." Zavaras was a member of the panel but resigned last month after Webb appointed him manager of safety.
Meanwhile, the saga of Johnson continued Monday as Zavaras prepared to review "a mountain of files and paperwork" about the rookie officer. The City Charter allows the manager of safety to dismiss an officer without cause during his or her first six months out of the academy.
Johnson was admitted to the academy by former Manager of Safety Fidel "Butch" Montoya Jr. despite Johnson's admitted history of extensive drug usage, theft from employers, domestic violence and Montoya's own rejection of him on a previous occasion.
Johnson, a one-time actor and psychologist, has been plagued with problems since his graduation in March and twice had been placed on remedial training. Johnson could not do multiple tasks necessary to be an effective police officer, such as simultaneously driving a police car, monitoring radio traffic and taking notes, sources said.
The 14-week field-training course requires passing grades from several officers and supervisors. Johnson was allowed to complete four additional weeks of remedial training, allowable under department policy.
Sources said three of five of Johnson's training officers recommended that he be dismissed. By Monday, the number of recommendations for Johnson's termination had increased to six after District 4 Capt. Rudy Sandoval, acting Patrol Division Chief Dan O'Hayre and Deputy Chief David Abrams weighed in.
Zavaras refused to discuss the matter. If tossed, Johnson will have failed to get hired 24 times at 19 different police departments. Johnson could not be reached for comment Monday.
Copyright 2000 The Denver Post.
[This message has been edited by Oatka (edited August 01, 2000).]