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Compliments & Complaints

The image of the Black Hawk Police Department depends on the personal integrity of all departmental employees. Not only do we aggressively investigate misconduct, but we also encourage citizens to report the positive interactions they have with our employees. We pride ourselves on providing great service, and we hope every citizen has a positive experience when interacting with our employees.

Compliments

Positive performance can only be rewarded if citizens make their voice known about how they are treated and the service they receive. When citizens take time out of their day to share their positive experiences with our staff, it encourages our staff to continue the great work. We know we make a difference in people’s lives, but hearing it from the people we serve is important and gratifying.

If you have a great experience while dealing with a Black Hawk Police Department employee, let us know using the following options:

Electronic Ratings

Other Options to Provide Feedback

  • Letters should be mailed to:
         Chief of Police
         Black Hawk Police Department
         P.O. Box 68
         Black Hawk, Colorado 80422
  • Citizens can phone compliments to 303-582-5878 and ask for the on-duty supervisor or the Chief of Police.
  • Citizens can always share their opinions with a supervisor by visiting the Black Hawk Police Department located at 221 Church Street.
  • Anonymous compliments are acceptable, but please leave us enough information to help us identify the employee(s) involved.

Complaints

To a large degree, the public image of the department is determined by the professional response of the department to allegations of employee misconduct.  The department will competently and professionally investigate all allegations of misconduct and conduct objective, fair and impartial investigations to protect and maintain the integrity of both the department and its employees.

Investigations into employee misconduct are conducted on two basic levels; one is called a Supervisory Inquiry and investigated by the employee’s immediate supervisor, while the other is conducted by the supervisor in charge of Internal Affairs. Cases involving criminal acts by officers are handled as criminal investigations.  In addition, our employees are encouraged to immediately resolve citizen complaints when possible if it’s within their authority to resolve them.  Most complaints can be successfulliy resolved by the employee's supervisor.  Complaints will be accepted anonymously, but can be difficult to fully investigate without specific information.  It is our goal to determine what lead to the initiation of a complaint and explore opportunities to provide better service to prevent future complaints. Citizens are therefore assured their concerns or complaints will make a difference in how we provide service.  Once complaints are investigated the outcome of our investigations are classified as follows:

Unfounded - The acts did not occur or there is no truth to allegations. This classification usually involves false allegations made against the officer by the complainant.

Exonerated - The alleged conduct occurred, but it was justified, lawful or the result of adherence to proper and appropriate department procedures and techniques. This classification usually indicates everyone is consistent in their view of a situation, but the officer’s actions were justified by the department’s policy or by law.

Not sustained - The investigation does not reveal evidence sufficient to prove the allegation or was unable to verify the truth of the matters under investigation. In this classification there may be a difference in what the participants say occurred and there wasn’t enough evidence to prove or disprove the allegation.

Sustained - The allegation is supported by a preponderance of the evidence. In this case the discipline administered to the employee may involve re-training, coaching, counseling, written warning, reprimand, suspension, or termination.

Complaints may be logged in person, in writing, or by phone using the following options:

Electronic Ratings

Other Options to Provide Feedback

  • Written complaints can be mailed to:
          Chief of Police
          Black Hawk Police Department
          P.O. Box 68
          Black Hawk, Colorado 80422
  • Phone complaints can be made to 303-582-0503. The complainant is encouraged to ask for the on-duty supervisor, but may request to speak to the Chief of Police.
  • Walk-in complaints will be accepted at any time at the Black Hawk Police Department located at 221 Church Street based on supervisor availability.
  • Anonymous complaints will be taken, but may limit our investigative ability to resolve a complaint.
  • Complaints can also be sent to the Chief of Police at PoliceDept@Cityofblackhawk.org.