LAWS OF CHANCE

Thomas says Black Hawk officers are "trying really hard," and that he's seen a definite improvement in the quality of their work. Others, however, are not as kind in their assessments. "They have problems with reports, record keeping and information gathering," says one Jefferson County Court employee. "It's a miracle if they win a case at all. There's a joke going around that Black Hawk couldn't win a conviction even if the officers had a videotape of the crime."

Despite his stand on the need for cooperation and consolidation among the three law enforcement agencies in the county, Thomas says he tries to distance himself from the political squabbles that have divided Black Hawk, the sheriff's office and the Central City Police Department. That's one reason he's turned over an investigation into alleged wrongdoing by Chief Yocom to the Arapahoe County District Attorney's office.

Thomas declines to elaborate on the allegations against Yocom, as does John Hower, the special prosecutor with the Arapahoe County District Attorney's office. Alderman Bill Lovingier confirms, however, that the case revolves around a claim that one of his two sons was given special treatment by Yocom's department.

The claim is untrue, says Lovingier, who blames the situation on a disgruntled former employee. The department, the alderman adds ruefully, has cited both of his boys "repeatedly" in the past. Lovingier says he doesn't wish to discuss details of the incident, but rejects allegations of a police coverup. "[The department] kept it open and stuck it on a shelf until someone asked about it," he says. "It's not like it was destroyed. It wasn't hidden, buried or otherwise mishandled."

Yocom will say only that the investigation is "nothing major" and "nothing we're concerned about."

end of part 1. Click here to go to part 2.