A lawsuit filed on July 30, 2024, against the Denver Police Department has brought to light the potential dangers of police training exercises following severe injuries sustained by a recruit.
Victor Moses, a 29-year-old former recruit, claims that a brutal hazing ritual known as “Fight Day” led to the amputation of both his legs.
Moses, who was participating in a training session on January 6, 2023, alleges that he was subjected to excessive force by officers during the exercise despite showing signs of medical distress. The lawsuit, filed in Denver District Court, names the City of Denver, Colorado, 13 police officers, and two paramedics as defendants.
The training exercise, designed to simulate arrest and assault scenarios, involved four stations where recruits were required to escalate and de-escalate force. At the second station, Moses was knocked down, causing him to hit his head and lose consciousness. He was allegedly pressured to continue despite passing out again, informing paramedics of his sickle cell trait and experiencing symptoms such as extreme leg cramping and low blood pressure.
“Instead of training police properly in constitutional use of force techniques, Denver teaches recruits it is acceptable to injure people seriously,” said John Holland, one of Moses’ attorneys. The lawsuit claims that this mindset has led to a culture of excessive force within the department, encouraging behaviors that result in serious injuries.
Moses was hospitalized for over four months, during which he underwent multiple surgeries and had both legs amputated below the knee. He also developed severe conditions, including rhabdomyolysis and compartment syndrome, which were exacerbated by the training.
The lawsuit argues that the “Fight Day” exercise is an unnecessarily violent ritual that promotes brutality among recruits. It highlights previous incidents where recruits sustained injuries, such as broken noses, supporting the claim of a systemic issue within the training program.
The Denver Police Department has declined to comment on the pending litigation. The case has sparked a broader discussion about police training practices and the balance between rigorous preparation and recruit safety.
Moses, who once dreamed of becoming a police officer, now confronts a future filled with physical and emotional difficulties. Reflecting on his experience, he expressed surprise at becoming a victim of police brutality during his training. As he works on regaining mobility with the help of prosthetics, Moses remains committed to ensuring that those accountable for his injuries are brought to justice.