Cop faces reprimand for conduct
Oakland Police Review Board recommends penalty after finding sergeant made advances toward arrested woman
By Heather MacDonald, STAFF WRITER


OAKLAND -- A police officer who was promoted to sergeant despite twice making anti-gay slurs, made inappropriate sexual advances toward a woman he arrested in 2003 on drug and weapon charges, the Citizens' Police Review Board determined Thursday night.

The board voted 5-2 to recommend that Sgt. Chris Del Rosario be reprimanded in writing for his conduct, and undergo additional training and counseling. Del Rosario, who is married with three daughters, denied the charges during the four-hour hearing.

The board sustained allegations that Del Rosario made unwanted sexual advances toward West Oakland resident Jovan Johnson after arresting her in February 2003. Del Rosario had found an AK-47 assault weapon and four ounces of rock cocaine underneath her bed. No charges were ever filed against Johnson -- her brother was later arrested in connection with the weapon and drugs.


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El Paso County showdown
By Bob Ewegen


In Colorado, legend has it, whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting. But now a landmark water agreement in Southern Colorado may help decide a rip-roaring Republican primary fight for El Paso County commissioner.

The GOP District 2 duel pits anti-tax activist Douglas Bruce against social conservative Margaret Radford.

Bruce is the classic anti-government activist. Since passing the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights in 1992, Bruce has failed at a series of other measures designed to dismantle government. This is his third try at winning a job in the government he purports to despise. Bruce lost a primary for the state Senate District 10 seat against Ray Powers in 1996 and lost again to Ron May for the same Senate seat in 2000.

Now, Bruce faces Radford, a member of the Colorado Springs City Council, in his first run for a local office. The clash has statewide interest because it will go a long way toward determining what the term "conservative" means in Colorado, at least in starboard-leaning El Paso County.