Cop Sues Over Fight Day Leg Loss

Former Denver Police Recruit Sues Department Over "Hazing Ritual" That Led to Loss of His Legs

A brutal, unnecessary training program that has no place in modern police work.
— Darold Killmer, attorney for Victor Moses

Denver, CO — A lawsuit was filed against the Denver Police Department, Denver Health, and multiple employees of both entities on Tuesday by former police recruit Victor Moses, 29, who alleges that a "brutal hazing ritual" during training cost him both his legs.

The incident occurred on January 6, 2023, during a "dynamic action drill," also known as "Fight Day," a simulation of arrest and assault situations. Moses states that excessive force was used, leading to life-threatening injuries and ultimately, the amputation of both legs.

The Allegations:

• Moses was knocked to the ground, hit his head, and passed out during a simulated attack by multiple assailants at the second station of the drill.
• Department personnel forced him to continue the drill until he passed out again.
• Moses informed paramedics of extreme fatigue and leg cramping, which are signs of sickle cell trait, a condition he disclosed in his police application.
• Despite low blood pressure, paramedics cleared him to continue training.
• At the third station, a ground-fighting drill, an officer put his body weight on Moses, causing him to say, "I can't breathe," before becoming unresponsive.
• Moses was hospitalized for four months, requiring multiple surgeries and eventually, a double leg amputation. He also developed severe compartment syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, malignant hyperthermia, and hyperkalemia.
• The lawsuit alleges that paramedics lied to doctors about the trauma Moses experienced, compromising his care.
• Department officials are also accused of covering up their actions, blaming Moses' injuries on undisclosed conditions.

I never thought that I would become the target of police brutality as I was training to become a police officer.
— Victor Moses

Response and Reactions:

Moses' attorneys are pointing to the department's training tactics as evidence of a culture that promotes excessive use of force. They argue that recruits are being taught to injure people unnecessarily and that proper de-escalation techniques are not being emphasized.

'Fight Day' is an archaic, outmoded, and unnecessary training program, brutally violent and dangerous.
— Darold Killmer, Moses' attorney

The Denver Police Department has declined to comment on the lawsuit, while Denver Health, the paramedic employer, has not responded to requests for comment.

The lawsuit, filed in Denver District Court, seeks compensatory and putative damages from six claims, including a claim against individual police officers under a Colorado statute that holds them accountable for depriving individuals of their state constitutional rights.

URL for lawsuit: https://hheglaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-07-30-09-03-48-Moses-Filed-Complaint-.pdf