Former Black Forest Fire Chief Allegedly Choked Firefighters

An El Paso County Sheriff's Office investigation report obtained by The Gazette shows law enforcement investigated multiple incidents of former Black Forest Fire Protection District Chief P.J. Langmaid allegedly choking firefighters under his command.

In the report, a Sheriff's Office Major Crimes unit detective contacted multiple current and former employees of the fire district on the far north side of El Paso County who said the former chief put them in headlocks. One firefighter said Langmaid choked him on three separate occasions, including once while on a call.

The report sheds light on an ongoing set of investigations by the fire district's board of directors that have resulted in Langmaid's firing, the resignation of a deputy chief and the monthslong paid leave of another employee.

The investigations and discussion on personnel matters are not open to the public; neither was the reason for Langmaid's separation from the district.

After Langmaid's firing, two other Black Forest firefighters remained under investigation from a third-party independent investigator retained by the Black Forest Fire Protection District Board of Directors. The two employees were placed on paid leave in July.

Both Deputy Chief Chris Piepenburg and Training Capt. Mike Torres previously told The Gazette they felt retaliated against by the board for reporting the behavior of Langmaid.

Piepenburg has since submitted his resignation from the district, halting his investigation. He could not be reached for comment.

Torres, who said on Friday he would attend an executive meeting with the board on Saturday, said he maintains his position that the investigation against him is retaliation.

"There are people there who have power and are a little upset by what I did," he said.

While some interviewed for the report considered the actions of the chief "horseplay" and within the realm of normal behavior among firefighters, other said that Langmaid went too far.

One administrative officer of the district said that Langmaid had made a "uneasy" work environment with statements overheard like, "I'm not above violence," and “If they get off the reservation, I will hunt them down and bring them back." Several of those interviewed expressed concerns of retaliation from Langmaid for speaking out.

The report did not result in criminal charges for Langmaid, who was fired from the district last month after the board concluded its own investigation into the chief.

"This case is closed as non-criminal; although it could be viewed as inappropriate it appears the firehouse has created an environment of accepting the behavior as horseplay and no one wanted to press charges the allegations do not rise to a criminal level," read the report.

The board has since appointed Colorado Springs Fire Department Battalion Chief Josh Bartlett as interim chief.

While Torres said he felt confident the investigation would eventually clear him, he said he felt uncomfortable about the possibility of going back to work at the district after an extended leave.

"I feel there's a target on my back, no matter what," he said.

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