Former Denver police recruit Victor Moses is suing the department after being forced to participate in a brutal hazing ritual during training that resulted in him losing both of his legs. The lawsuit alleges that Moses was injured during a training exercise called “Fight Day” where excessive force was used, leading to life-threatening injuries. Moses passed out after being knocked to the ground and hit his head during the drill, but was forced to continue until he passed out again. Paramedics cleared him to keep training despite his extreme fatigue and low blood pressure. Moses was hospitalized, required multiple surgeries, and had his legs amputated as a result of the injuries sustained during training.
The lawsuit names the city, the police department, Denver Health, 11 police department employees, and two paramedics as defendants. Moses’ attorneys argue that the department’s training tactics contributed to the excessive use of force during the drill and criticized the department for failing to intervene and provide proper care to injured recruits. The lawsuit also alleges that paramedics lied to doctors about the severity of Moses’ injuries, compromising his care at the hospital.
Moses is seeking compensatory and punitive damages from six different claims, including a claim against individual police officers under a Colorado statute for failing to intervene in the deprivation of his state constitutional rights. The lawsuit highlights the dangers of “Fight Day” and calls for an end to the violent and dangerous training program.
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