Idaho Springs officer charged with assault fired from department
Courtesy of the Fifth Judicial District Attorney's Office
The Idaho Springs police officer who was charged with assault for allegedly using a stun gun on an elderly man was fired Thursday, according to the police department.
Nicholas Hanning, 35, was placed on administrative leave on May 30, before being terminated due to the use of force incident. He’s been charged with third-degree assault on an at risk adult.
“The Idaho Springs Police Department took immediate action and decisive action by requesting that an outside agency perform a criminal investigation into the incident,” said Idaho Springs Police Chief Nathan Buseck. “The actions of former Officer Hanning are not reflective of the culture of our organization.”
Hanning joined the Idaho Springs Police Department in October 2017 and had no complaints in regards to use of force, according to the release.
Prosecutors within the Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office said Hanning and another Idaho Springs officer responded to a report of an alleged assault in the 3200 block of Riverside Drive, just before 11 p.m.
The officers located the woman who made the initial call and informed them the man lived in a nearby apartment. After attempting to make contact, a man in his 70s answered, while carrying a sword-like weapon that had “teeth along both edges,” according to the release.
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Hanning and the man got into an altercation, which led to him using his stun gun after he and the other officer gave multiple commands.
Following the altercation the man was transported to St. Anthony’s Hospital for injures.
Buseck reviewed the incident and on June 3 contacted the District Attorney’s Office to request a criminal investigation.
District Attorney Heidi McCollum contacted the Colorado Bureau of investigations to assist in the investigation, which resulted in an arrest warrant.




