Pubdate: Wed, 09 Feb 2000
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2000 The Denver Post
Contact:  1560 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202
Fax: (303) 820.1502
Website: http://www.denverpost.com/
Forum: http://www.denverpost.com/voice/voice.htm
Author: Marilyn Robinson
Bookmark: MAP's link to Colorado articles is: http://www.mapinc.org/states/co

Note: *Ismael Mena Story*

CAPTAIN REASSIGNED; ALLEGATIONS UNDER REVIEW

Feb. 9 - Amid allegations he pressured an officer to falsify reports that
led to a fatal "no knock" drug raid, a Denver police captain was reassigned
Tuesday.

Capt. Marc Vasquez, who was the northeast Denver police commander, will
switch posts with Capt. Mike O'Neill, a 33-year department veteran, who was
assigned to the patrol division at Downtown police headquarters.

Meanwhile, the officer who leveled the accusations at Vasquez, Technician
Sue Scott, will return to her post as a community resource officer in the
northeast district.

"The exchange of assignments today was not related whatsoever to any
disciplinary action," said police spokeswoman Virginia Lopez.

She said the moves were among several announced Tuesday by Police Chief Tom
Sanchez.

"He felt it was an appropriate move at this time for the benefit of the
department and the officers," Lopez said.

Scott, a veteran officer, accused her superiors of asking her to alter one
of her reports on the home of Ismael Mena, the man who was shot to death in
the Sept. 29 no-knock raid. Her allegations were reviewed by District
Attorney Bill Ritter's office, which concluded no laws were broken.

However, the case remains under review by the police department's internal
affairs bureau.

"It is now at the department level to clarify that there were no
departmental policies or procedures that were violated," Lopez said.

Vasquez couldn't be reached for comment.
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MAP posted-by: Eric Ernst