RECRUITS' FILES DETAIL DRUG USE

"Three times in college.'' "On a cruise ship off the island of Dominica.''
"Party. Tried it. Didn't like it. Never again.''These are typical responses
among Denver Police Academy recruits to a background question about drug
offenses.

While 24, or two-thirds, of Denver's 35 police trainees have admitted to
using illegal drugs, the vast majority did so experimentally - generally
having tried marijuana or hashish a few times with friends in high school,
college or at parties. However, application records obtained by The Denver
Post show two of those 24 recruits acknowledge more extensive drug
histories. By far the most extensive is that of Ellis Johnson, whose
controversial hiring despite his longtime and varied drug use has made
headlines the past several weeks.

Johnson, 40, acknowledged using "cocaine/crack'' "during parties/after
divorce.'' His other uses - reportedly totaling at least 150 offenses -
include crack cocaine, LSD, mescaline, marijuana, amphetamines,
methamphetamines and tranquilizers.

In explaining Johnson's hiring, Denver officials have claimed he quit using
drugs in 1987 and since has "turned his life around.'' "It was a long time
ago,'' said Safety Manager Butch Montoya, who oversees the police and fire
departments and made the decision to hire Johnson.

But Johnson's application shows he used PCP, otherwise known as "angel
dust,'' as recently as 1993.

Aside from his drug history, Johnson fared poorly on psychological
evaluations, admitted to stealing from two former employers and
acknowledged shoving his ex wife and girlfriend. He was rejected by at
least 12 other law enforcement agencies and asked to resign from a previous
job as an officer trainee in the Glendale Police Department, records show.

Police Chief Tom Sanchez recommended earlier this fall that Johnson not be
hired as a trainee in the Denver Police Department.

But Montoya overrode that decision, giving Johnson what he calls a "second
chance'' by recruiting him rather than 110 other applicants deemed
"eligible'' by city officials, but not chosen for the current training class.

Sanchez last week said Johnson is "inappropriate'' for the police force,
describing his former drug use as "unbridled.''

Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter's office is investigating whether
Montoya, police officials and members of the city's Civil Service
Commission used undue influence in hiring Johnson, who has personal ties to
Commissioner Kristopher Colley.

Colley was one of three commissioners who outvoted two of their colleagues
in recommending Johnson's hiring.

Colley said last week that he had "casually'' met Johnson "for five
minutes'' early in 1998 after a martial arts workout.

Neither Johnson nor Colley returned phone calls Monday.

Several of Johnson's fellow trainees admitted to using illegal drugs in
general, but did not elaborate on their application forms. Two recruits
acknowledged having tripped on LSD, and two acknowledged using cocaine.

Only one trainee other than Johnson admitted to having used an extensive
menu of drugs over an extended period of time.

The male, whose name was not released in the documents, acknowledged having
used cocaine, LSD and Valium, among other drugs. The recruit admitted to
smoking pot as recently as 1996.

Civil service commissioners - who are responsible for testing and screening
applicants - have defended recruiting former drug offenders into Denver's
police force, saying it's a necessary trend given the shrinking pool of
people who want law-enforcement careers.

"We have very, very few candidates who don't have prior usage,''
Commissioner Ellen Reath said earlier this month.

Added Paul Torres, the commission's executive director: "It's the rule
rather than the exception any more.''

Application records obtained Monday also show that eight recruits
acknowledged having their driver's licenses suspended, typically for
racking up too many points on their driving records. Johnson was not among
them.

That comes as Denver officials prepare to defend the city in U.S. District
Court in a lawsuit involving patrolman Michael Farr, who fatally broadsided
22-year-old Randy Bartel in June 1989. Farr - who has refused to comment on
the case - had his driver's license sus pended three times before being
hired in 1988.

The vast majority in the 35member class also acknowledged social drinking.

One recruit even listed his favorite beer: Budweiser.