A violent training drill at a Texas law enforcement academy last year, which left over a dozen cadets injured, has spotlighted a dangerous and controversial tradition in police training across the United States.
A Trail of Tragedy: Fatalities and Life-Altering Injuries
The incident at the Texas Game Warden Training Center in Hamilton on 13 December 2024 was severe but not isolated. During a role-playing exercise, recruits were repeatedly punched and tackled. The aftermath saw at least 13 cadets report injuries, including two concussions, a torn knee, a broken wrist, and injuries requiring surgery. One recruit, Heather Sterling, resigned in protest.
A nationwide review by The Associated Press has found that since 2005, similar defensive tactics drills have been linked to at least a dozen deaths and hundreds of injuries, some causing permanent disability. These exercises, often called 'RedMan' training after the protective gear, are designed to teach recruits to handle combative suspects under extreme stress.
Recent tragedies include the death of 30-year-old Jon-Marques Psalms at the San Francisco Police Department Academy in August 2025 after a head injury during a fight with an instructor. In November 2024, 24-year-old William Bailey, a Kentucky game warden recruit, died following a pool training fight. A Denver police recruit had both legs amputated after a 2023 training fight described by his lawyer as a "barbaric hazing ritual."
Unregulated Exercises and a Lack of National Standards
Academies have significant discretion in designing these drills, which may be labelled 'combat training', 'Fight Day', or 'stress reaction training'. Formats vary: some recruits face multiple assailants or a series of instructors. While protective gear is worn, there are no uniform national safety guidelines, including requirements for on-site medical personnel.
Supporters argue the drills are vital for preparing officers for real-world violence. However, critics contend they can devolve into physical and mental abuse, driving promising candidates out of policing and causing serious harm. The Texas state investigation into the 2024 incident found nothing wrong with the drill, highlighting the lack of oversight.
Voices for Change: Injured Recruit Speaks Out
Former recruit Heather Sterling, a defensive tactics instructor from Wyoming, is now campaigning for reform. During the Texas 'four-on-one' drill, video shows she was punched seven times in the head in under two minutes, knocked to the ground, and suffered a concussion. She argues the scenario was unrealistic, as on-duty officers could use their firearm or other tools.
"I’m worried that someone is going to get killed," Sterling stated. "This is a poorly disguised assault." Her testimony underscores growing concerns about the safety and efficacy of these high-risk training methods, with calls mounting for standardised regulations to prevent further tragedies.
