MANDATE DPD DRUG TESTS

Random drug testing in the workplace often is seen as
intrusive, but such tests are critical for airline pilots, railroad
workers and others responsible for public safety.

They should be mandatory for Denver police, too.

Ari Zavaras implemented such testing as head of the Colorado
Department of Corrections. We hope he'll do the same with police when
he becomes Denver's safety manager on Aug. 1.

Recent events in the Denver Police Department underscore the need for
random drug testing:

Two officers are accused of misappropriating marijuana and drug
paraphernalia evidence from more than 80 drug cases. While officials
say the cops destroyed the evidence, there is no proof of that.

More recently, a Denver officer allegedly left a backpack with up to
$600 worth of crystal methamphetamine on a bus in Boulder. None too
cleverly, he also left his identification card in the backpack. Yet
this officer remains on active duty pending the outcome of an
investigation into his case.

Meanwhile, internal affairs is probing why nearly $100,000 in cash is
missing from the property bureau.

The specter of such crimes occuring within our crime-fighting force is
disturbing at best.

But until Denver's finest know they will be held accountable for use
of illegal drugs, these types of misdeeds will continue to occur.

Denver currently tests officers only when their behavior raises
suspicion of drug use. By contrast, many cities in the metro area and
elsewhere conduct random drug tests on officers. Failure to do so in
Colorado's largest city is a glaring omission.

The Police Protective Association wouldn't oppose drug testing, but
the union wants safeguards to avoid the prospect of false positives
resulting in action against an innocent officer. That's a reasonable
request.

It's also reasonable for citizens to have some certainty that the
armed police paid to protect them aren't on drugs.

Zavaras has said he supports such testing for officers serving the
public. So do we. We urge him to implement such a policy when he takes
up his new post in Denver.