A groundbreaking investigation uncovers how a standard police training exercise known as ‘RedMan’ drills has resulted in at least a dozen deaths and hundreds of serious injuries nationwide, raising urgent questions about police academy safety protocols and training standards.
A Pattern of Tragedy Across Police Academies
The recent incident at the Texas Game Warden Training Center represents just one chapter in a disturbing national pattern. When 13 cadets reported injuries—including concussions, torn ligaments, and broken bones—during a single day of training exercises in December 2024, they joined hundreds of law enforcement recruits who have suffered serious harm from similar drills.
These training exercises, frequently referred to as RedMan training for the protective gear worn by participants, are designed to teach defensive tactics against combative suspects. However, a comprehensive review reveals they have become associated with:
- At least 12 fatalities since 2005
- Hundreds of serious injuries requiring medical treatment
- Multiple cases of permanent disability
- Significant psychological trauma leading to career abandonment
The absence of national standards governing police training has created a dangerous patchwork of safety protocols, with academies exercising wide discretion in designing these high-risk exercises.
The Human Cost: Recent Cases Highlight Systemic Failures
The tragic consequences of these drills extend far beyond the Texas incident. Several high-profile cases demonstrate the severe risks recruits face:
In August 2025, Jon-Marques Psalms, a 30-year-old recruit at the San Francisco Police Department Academy, died two days after a training exercise where he suffered a head injury while fighting an instructor in a padded suit. The official autopsy ruled his death an accident caused by complications from muscle and organ damage sustained during “high-intensity training exercise.”
Just three months earlier in November 2024, William Bailey, a 24-year-old Kentucky game warden recruit, died after fighting an instructor in a pool to the point of collapse. Video evidence shows the intense nature of the exercise that led to his accidental drowning due to cardiac complications during physical exertion.
Perhaps most shocking was the case of a Denver police recruit who had both legs amputated after what his attorney described as a “barbaric hazing ritual” during training. The incident left him permanently disabled and raised serious questions about the culture surrounding these exercises.
The Texas Incident: A Microcosm of Systemic Problems
The December 2024 incident at the Texas Game Warden Training Center exemplifies the controversies surrounding these drills. The so-called “four-on-one” exercise required cadets to face simultaneous attacks from four instructors playing violent assailants for 90 seconds or more.
Heather Sterling, one of the injured recruits, had previously served as a defensive tactics instructor in Wyoming before enrolling in the Texas academy. Her professional background gave her unique insight into the drill’s flaws.
“I thought the scenario was unrealistic,” Sterling explained. “I had never been ambushed on the job, and in real life, I would be able to use my firearm or other force options.”
Video evidence obtained by investigators shows Sterling being punched seven times in the head in less than two minutes, with the final blow knocking off her protective helmet. She subsequently drove herself to receive medical treatment and was diagnosed with a concussion.
Despite passing the drill, Sterling resigned from the academy in protest. “I’m worried that someone is going to get killed,” she stated. “This is a poorly disguised assault.”
The Defense: Training Under Pressure
Supporters of these intensive training exercises argue they serve a critical purpose in preparing law enforcement officers for real-world scenarios. The drills are intended to teach recruits to make sound decisions under extreme physical and mental stress—a skill that could save lives during actual confrontations.
Proponents contend that when properly designed and supervised, RedMan training provides invaluable experience in:
- Controlling violent suspects without excessive force
- Maintaining composure during physical assaults
- Applying defensive tactics under realistic pressure
- Developing the mental toughness required for police work
Following the Texas incident, a state investigation found nothing wrong with the drill methodology, highlighting the fundamental disagreement between training traditionalists and safety advocates.
The Regulatory Void: No National Standards
The core issue underlying these tragedies is the complete absence of uniform safety standards for police training exercises. Unlike many professions with nationally mandated training protocols, law enforcement academies operate under a fragmented system where:
- Each state sets its own training requirements
- Academies have wide discretion in exercise design
- Medical personnel presence is often optional
- Safety equipment standards vary significantly
This regulatory vacuum has allowed dangerous practices to persist despite mounting evidence of their risks. The exercises take various names—”combat training,” “Fight Day,” or “stress reaction training”—but share common characteristics that put recruits at unnecessary risk.
Moving Forward: The Push for Reform
The growing documentation of injuries and fatalities has sparked calls for comprehensive reform of police training practices. Safety advocates propose several key changes:
- National Safety Standards: Establishing uniform protocols for all defensive tactics training
- Mandatory Medical Oversight: Requiring certified medical personnel at all high-risk exercises
- Realistic Scenario Design: Developing training that reflects actual on-the-job experiences
- Enhanced Instructor Training: Ensuring all trainers understand safety limits and risk management
As Heather Sterling and other victims continue to speak out, their testimony provides crucial evidence for policymakers considering reform. The question remains whether the law enforcement community will proactively address these safety concerns or wait for further tragedies to force change.
The pattern of injuries and deaths associated with these drills represents not just individual tragedies but a systemic failure in how we prepare those who swear to protect our communities. As more evidence emerges, the pressure for meaningful reform continues to build.
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