WEBB EXPECTED TO NAME INTERIM POLICE CHIEF

Feb. 23 - Mayor Wellington Webb is expected to name an interim police
chief today to replace Tom Sanchez, who stepped down Tuesday as
Denver's top cop.

"It's a fair bet to say something is going to be announced, but
there's nothing scheduled now," said Webb spokesman Andrew Hudson.

Hudson confirmed that the mayor will appoint an interim chief to allow
more time to select a permanent replacement.

"That's because he's not taking this decision lightly," Hudson
said.

Webb had said he hoped to name a replacement before Sanchez
left.

However, either of the department's two deputy chiefs - Dave Abrams
and Heather Coogan - presumably could take over temporarily.

Webb announced two weeks ago that Sanchez would step down as chief, a
job he had held since August 1998.

The announcement came after a series of problems in the department,
culminating in perjury charges against an officer in connection with a
fatal "no-knock" drug raid.

That officer, Joseph Bini, is accused of lying to a judge in a
search-warrant affidavit. The warrant was issued for the wrong house,
and officers ended up killing 45-year-old Ismael Mena.

Although Sanchez is stepping down as chief, he will stay with the
department as a captain. His new assignment hasn't been decided.

"It was business as usual," police spokeswoman Mary Thomas said of
Sanchez's final day as chief.

Sanchez met with his command staff and presented an award to the
department's civilian employee of the month, Thomas said.