‘It was all taken away’: Police recruit had both legs amputated after ‘barbaric hazing ritual’ known as ‘Fight Day,’ lawsuit says

JASON KANDEL
Aug 2nd, 2024, 1:31 pm

A former Denver Police Department recruit had his legs amputated after severe injuries he suffered in a “barbaric hazing ritual” known as “Fight Day” at the police academy last year, his lawsuit alleges. Victor Moses, 29, suffered permanent physical and mental pain that has left him learning to walk again with prosthetics and requires someone to help him dress, shower and use the toilet, the lawsuit filed on Tuesday said.

“It is extremely hard to find the will to keep living,” he said in court papers. “Saying my life has been ruined is a complete understatement. I had everything going for me in life and it was all taken away. I have had many thoughts of not wanting to live.”

The lawsuit, which seeks an undisclosed amount, names the City and County of Denver, seven technicians and four officers from the Denver Police Department, and two Denver Health and Hospital Authority paramedics.

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Moses was hurt when he ran the gauntlet on “fight day” at the city’s police academy on Jan. 6, 2023. The event purportedly is set up to provide police arrest and seizure training, but in reality, it has become a “barbaric hazing ritual,” court documents said.

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