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Denver Police Union Demands 'Leak' Investigation

DENVER (CBS4) - The Denver Police Protective Association, which represents the majority of Denver police officers, has asked Denver's manager of safety to launch an official investigation into department leaks to the news media regarding internal affairs cases.

In an email to PPA members sent May 24 and obtained by CBS4, the union said at a May 14 meeting Manager of Safety Alex Martinez "was provided a formal request for an investigation into these leaks."

The president of the PPA, Nick Rogers, refused Monday to discuss the leaks or the request for an investigation.

"It's an internal thing," Rogers told CBS4. "It has nothing to do with you. The story is done for me."

Another PPA member said the organization was upset with a CBS4 investigation into Officer Abbe Dorn, which aired May 8. CBS4 reported that the officer, who gained notoriety for appearing on the show "American Gladiators," was under internal investigation for the alleged procurement and use of steroids. Three law enforcement contacts familiar with the case confirmed the investigation. Dorn has been transferred from active street duty to "administrative duties" during the investigation.

Abbegayle Dorn
Abbegayle Dorn (credit: CBS)

In the PPA email to members, the association wrote, "It was brought to the manager's attention that an investigative reporter for one of the local news channels contacted both the officer and this officer's attorney and knew facts of this officer's case and intimate knowledge of the investigation only IA (Internal Affairs) or those in the investigative process would know. This investigative reporter knew information even this officer's attorney yet knew. The MOS (Manager of Safety) was provided a formal request for an investigation into these leaks to which he agreed he would 'look into it.' "

Daelene Mix, a spokesperson for Manager of Safety Alex Martinez, told CBS4 she was aware of the May 14 meeting but did not have specifics on what was discussed. She said Martinez was out of the office Monday and unavailable for immediate comment.

It's unclear if the PPA is requesting a formal investigation that could lead to the questioning of its own rank-and-file members regarding news media leaks.

- Written by Brian Maass for CBSDenver.com

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