A former Denver police recruit is suing the department, saying he was forced to participate in a “brutal hazing ritual” that cost him both his legs.
Victor Moses, 29, alleges that the department and paramedics forced him to participate in “Fight Day,” a police training exercise that simulates arrest and assault situations, according to USA Today.
The lawsuit filed Tuesday says that the force used during the training was excessive and led to life-threatening injuries.
On Jan. 6, 2023, Moses was participating in a dynamic action drill during Denver police academy training, according to the lawsuit, which says the drill involves four stations intended to teach future officers how to escalate and de-escalate force. It's also known as "Fight Day" in the department, the lawsuit says.
At the second station, Moses was knocked to the ground, hit his head and passed out in a simulated attack by multiple assailants, the lawsuit says. Department personnel forced Moses to his feet to continue the drill until he passed out again when an officer called paramedics over, the lawsuit says.
Moses told the paramedics that he was "extremely fatigued" and experiencing "extreme leg cramping," a sign of distress in people with sickle cell trait, something Moses said he had in a police application form, the lawsuit says.
At the third station, Moses reportedly became unresponsive and was then to the hospital. He required multiple surgeries to save his life, had to have his legs amputated and was hospitalized for four months, according to the suit.
Moses developed severe compartment syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, malignant hyperthermia, and severe hyperkalemia in the hospital, according to the lawsuit.
Moses' lawsuit, filed in Denver District Court, names the city, the police department, Denver Health, 11 police department employees and two paramedics.
The Denver Police Department has declined to comment on the lawsuit.
