Dozens of Police Recruits Have Died in Largely Preventable Deaths
A ‘Heartbreaking’ String of Deaths
A Texas recruit collapsed minutes after instructors denied his request for water, saying: “You can’t get water in a fight,” video obtained by AP shows.
An Arkansas cadet died after he was forced to run wearing long pants in the scorching midday sun. A North Carolina trainee’s temperature was 106 degrees an hour after his death, when he had no water breaks during an hourlong obstacle course.
Citing similar cases, one expert warned in a medical journal in mid-2023 of a “troubling spate of exertional collapse and death” of police trainees.
“This sad tragedy is preventable, but will not become so until our police chiefs begin to heed the message,” wrote Dr. Randy Eichner, a retired University of Oklahoma professor who has long studied exertion-related deaths.
A Physical and Mental Test
For Donat and his 27 classmates, academy staffers planned an intense hourlong workout – a first-day ritual designed to test physical and mental fitness.
Pushups. Flutter kicks. More pushups. Hill sprints. Burpees. Pullups. Bear crawls.
Trainers say the exercises set the tone for the monthslong academy, which seeks to instill a never-quit mindset and prepare recruits for the most dangerous aspects of policing. But the military-style drills have long led to allegations of harsh treatment that cross the line into hazing.
Changes but No Discipline after a Georgia Death
Hours after Donat died, Gwinnett County released a statement saying Donat had been “instructed by supervising staff to rest” after becoming lethargic.
A fellow recruit who saw that statement on the news questioned the claim, texting classmates, “As far as I know I never heard that or saw that.” One responded that Donat was last seen in the planking position before his collapse.
Families of Deceased Recruits Face Obstacles to Recognition, Benefits
Because most of the recruits in AP’s investigation hadn’t been sworn in as officers before they died, their names don’t appear on the national memorial for deceased officers or some state memorials. And many of their families can’t qualify for death benefits.
Aware of those stakes last year, the police chief in Knoxville, Tennessee, summoned a judge to the hospital room of unconscious recruit Wisbens Antoine.
On that February night, a fellow recruit took the oath on behalf of Antoine, who’d collapsed during training a week before graduation.
Hours later, Officer Antoine, 32, died.
Like Donat, he was a Haitian immigrant who left behind a wife and two daughters.
Conclusion
The death of dozens of police recruits is a stark reminder of the need for improved awareness and practices to prevent these tragedies. While some may argue that the risk of death is inherent in the job, the toll on families and communities is immeasurable. It is our hope that this investigation will serve as a catalyst for change, leading to a safer and more humane training environment for those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many police recruits have died during training in the last decade?
A: At least 29 recruits have died during basic training at law enforcement academies in the United States in the last decade.
Q: How many of these deaths were preventable?
A: Experts and police advocates believe that many of these deaths were preventable, citing excessive physical demands, inadequate hydration and breaks, and a lack of consideration for underlying medical conditions.
Q: What are some of the common conditions that can put recruits at risk during training?
A: Some of the conditions that can put recruits at risk during training include sickle cell trait, a condition that is more prevalent among Black Americans and increases the risk of serious injury following extreme exertion. Other conditions, such as heart disease and heat-related illnesses, can also pose a risk.
Q: What can be done to reduce the number of deaths during police training?
A: Experts recommend a range of measures, including improved screening for underlying medical conditions, adequate hydration and breaks, and a more humane and realistic training environment. They also call for greater oversight and accountability, as well as a national database to track and analyze recruit deaths.
