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DPD Police Monitor Says Cops Won't Arrest Colleagues for DUI

Written by Brian Maass

DENVER (CBS4)- Denver's police monitor has released an analysis concluding that Denver police officers have been routinely looking the other way for years, not arresting fellow officers when they catch each other driving drunk.

"It appears reasonable to conclude that off- duty DPD officers may have, in the past, received preferential treatment by not being arrested for DUI violations when there is no related traffic collission," wrote Richard Rosenthal, the independent monitor for Denver who provides oversight of the police, fire and sheriff's departments in Denver.

In a four page analysis that is part of his quarterly report, Rosenthal noted that in the six years he has been in his position, no DPD officer has been arrested for DUI by another DPD officer unless they were involved in a traffic collision. He said Denver officers have been arrested five times for DUI, but only after there had been a crash. During the same period of time, Rosenthal notes that officers in other jurisdictions arrested Denver cops on eight separate occasions for DUI, and twice for DUIs in connection with a crash.

Rosenthal's report goes on to say that the conduct demonstrated by DPD officers arrested for DUI by other departments supports his conclusion.

He said in eight of the ten cases outside of Denver, "The off -duty DPD officer engaged in overt actions that could reasonably be interpreted as attempts to obtain preferential treatment."

He said those actions usually included DPD officers flashing badges or ID cards in an attempt to obtain preferential treatment.

Rosenthal's report notes that 75 percent of Denver officers live outside the City, but he says that does not explain zero DUI arrests in at least six years.

"It's utterly ridiculous what he wrote in his report," said Nick Rogers, President of the Denver Police Protective Association, which represents most Denver officers. "There is no factual basis, it's a slanderous statement," said Rogers.

The PPA President said he 'takes great exception' to Rosenthal's conclusions.

Rosenthal has scheduled a 1 p.m. press briefing for Thursday to further discuss his findings.

RELATED DOCUMENT: Monitor Concerns Regarding DPD Driving Under The Influence Arrests

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