The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hired a former police officer who was involved in at least four fatal shootings to train immigration enforcement agents in firearms and tactical skills, according to a report by Wired.
David Norman, founder of TruKinetics LLC in Arizona, received a $27,748 government contract in 2024, four years after retiring from the Phoenix Police Department. During his time as an officer, he opened fire on armed suspects six times, killing four people and wounding two others.
In a 2021 podcast, Norman described himself as a 'f***ing savage', adding: 'I wanted those experiences. I was super aggressive.' He did not respond to requests for comment, but told Wired it was 'an honour' to train members of Homeland Security Investigations' Special Response Team (SRT).
A spokesperson for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said the agency 'strictly adheres to federal regulations' and that all vendors undergo rigorous vetting. The SRTs, similar to police SWAT teams, have been linked to fatal shootings during protests against ICE operations in Minneapolis.
Norman was cleared of wrongdoing in all shootings and a lawsuit against him was dismissed. However, a lawyer who represented one victim's family called Norman 'especially aggressive' and 'the last guy on earth who should be training a tactical team'.
The Justice Department previously faulted the Phoenix Police Department for a pattern of unconstitutional conduct, including unjustified deadly force. The Trump administration later closed the case, drawing criticism from former acting ICE director John Sandweg.
