Protecting Your Rights is Our Business
Our Policy:
It is the policy of the Idaho Springs Police Department to investigate ALL complaints against the department or its employees. This ensures the integrity of the department while protecting the rights and interest of both citizens and department members.
Who May Complain:
Any person, regardless of age, sex or nationality, who witness, or has direct knowledge of police misconduct, may file a complaint with the Police Department.
When Should You Complain:
You should contact the department whenever you witness behavior by any department member which is a violation of city, state, or federal law, involves the excessive use of force, or involves discourteous or abusive treatment.
How Do You File a Complaint:
Generally, complaints are filed through the supervisor, or the member involved. If the immediate supervisor is unavailable, another supervisor may take the complaint.
Who Investigates the Complaint:
Department supervisors are charged with maintaining discipline and with overseeing the conduct of members assigned to them. In most cases, the supervisor or the member investigates and reports the incident through the chain of command for disposition. Investigations involving alleged criminal activity are investigated by Colorado Bureau of Investigations (C.B.I.)
What is the Complaint Process:
After the supervisor has interviewed all parties involved the disposition will fall into on the following categories.
Sustained-There is substantial evidence to prove the allegation.
Not Sustained- There is insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation.
Unfounded/Exonerated- The allegation is false, or the incident occurred but was lawful and proper.
Policy Failure- Allegation is true but the member followed policy. Policy is examined and if necessary, modified.
What is the disciplinary process?
If a complaint is sustained, disciplinary action may be taken which consists of one of the following measures.
Verbal Reprimand
Written Reprimand
Educational Suspension
Suspension
Demotion
Dismissal
In addition to any disciplinary action, the employee may receive counseling and, where appropriate, training to correct deficiencies.
When an employee faces suspension, demotion or dismissal, there is a review and appeal process per department policy.
What Will You Be Told?
After the thorough investigation of the complaint the employee's supervisor, or another supervisor, will promptly contact you. You will be advised of the supervisor's findings. The Department is not permitted to comment on the employee or the disciplinary actions under State Law.
Responsibility- Ours and Yours:
The Police Department views all citizen complaints against its employees very seriously and actively pursues investigation in misconduct. For this reason, you must ensure that your complaint is based on facts and to the best of your ability. If you intentionally make a false report to this department, you should know that making the false report could result in criminal and or civil legal proceeding being filed against you.
Our Commitment to You:
Members of the Police Department shall always strive to be courteous and professional in all dealings with the citizens we serve. It is the hope of the Idaho Springs Police Department that all your contact with our employees is positive. If not, we will endeavor to resolve your complaint to your satisfaction in a prompt and objective way.
A message from the Chief of Police:
The Idaho Springs Police Department is dedicated to protecting the rights of all citizen's regardless of race, age, sex, nationality, religion or political preference. We consider the protection of individual rights to be extreme importance and for that reason, we have established safeguards within our department to discourage abuse of authority by police employees. Complaints relating to police employee abuse are taken very seriously and are carefully investigated. If any citizen feels a police employee has acted in a manner which is abusive or unprofessional, I urge you to report the matter to a police supervisor. Above is information explaining our complaint process. Our creed is Integrity and Safety through constitutional Policing and Dedication to our community. You assist us in accomplishing this mission when you contact us regarding what you consider to be the improper police conduct.
Nathan Buseck
Chief of Police
We would appreciate hearing from you when we have provided you with commendable services too!
Complaints or Compliments can be submitted by email to nbuseck [at] idahospringsco.com (nbuseck[at]idahospringsco[dot]com) or turned into the main office located at 3000 Colorado Blvd, Idaho Springs CO 80452.