DISPUTED POLICE ROOKIE STRUGGLING

Johnson Admitted Using Illegal Drugs 15 Years

Ellis Johnson, the controversial Denver police rookie who admitted he
used illegal drugs 15 years ago, is struggling in training and will
know the fate of his career Friday.

Johnson, 40, has had to take remedial courses twice during his
training, sources said. He is having problems with writing reports and
the correct driving procedures under police protocol, sources said.

The final recommendation on whether Johnson will stay a Denver police
officer is expected Friday, said Ari Zavaras, incoming Denver manager
of safety.

"It's a very intensive program," Zavaras said. "I know there's some
issues being worked on, but there's been no final recommendation."

Johnson's progress has been subject to public scrutiny since then
Manager of Safety Butch Montoya decided to allow Johnson to attend the
policy academy even though he told authorities he had experimented
with cocaine and LSD in the mid-1980s.

Johnson graduated from the police academy with his class on March 24.
His hiring helped fuel a controversy that played a part in the firing
of former Denver Police Chief Tom Sanchez.

A former security guard and martial arts teacher, Johnson has
unsuccessfully applied at 19 police departments.

In Englewood and Golden, for example, he performed poorly on oral
tests. And at Colorado State Patrol, he failed to score high enough on
his initial tests to merit serious consideration, officials said.

Zavaras, who will take office Aug. 1, said the department is working
to be as fair and consistent as possible with the recruit program. The
department makes a substantial financial and time investment in each
recruit, he said.

"What we try to do is have a very solid program and if we can salvage
it, boy, that's what we try to do," Zavaras said. "Sometimes that's
not possible."

Contact Peggy Lowe at (303) 892-5482 or lowep@RockyMountainNews.com.
News staff writer Kevin Vaughan contributed to this report.