ACLU calls for federal investigation into death of Massachusetts State Police recruit
BOSTON - Three bipartisan Worcester state senators are calling on the state attorney general to appoint a special investigator to look into the death of Massachusetts State Police recruit Enrique Delgado-Garcia. At the same time, the ACLU of Massachusetts wants the FBI to get involved in the case.
The I-Team was first to report that Delgado-Garcia, a recruit at the Massachusetts State Police Academy was seriously injured in a boxing exercise. The I-Team has been digging into the history of the training facility and found other troubling cases.
Previous incidents at Massachusetts State Police Academy
No one was injured during what was called the "slip 'n slide" at the academy in 2021. The recruit hijinks was just silly shenanigans.
But the I-Team found state police training has a darker history, involving allegations of hazing and harassment.
In 2005, an investigation found an instructor pushed recruits' heads into toilet bowls as punishment. In 2022, 20 recruits suffered serious burns on their hands after instructors had them bear crawl on hot pavement.
Just last week, 25-year-old Enrique Delgado-Garcia died after I-Team sources say he was injured during a boxing exercise. The Worcester County District Attorney promised an outside investigation. It has been seven days, and no independent agency has been publicly named to take over the case.
Former recruit alleges discrimination
In the wake of Delgado-Garcia's death, a former classmate came forward alleging discrimination and humiliation at the academy. All of that sparked concern from Jessie Rossman, legal director at the ACLU of Massachusetts about the lack of oversight of the state police.
"The ACLU is calling on the federal authorities to urgently step in and initiate a federal investigation into his death and the surrounding circumstances," Rossman told the I-Team. "Against the backdrop of Mr. Delgado-Garcia's death, there are also serious questions that are being raised about whether there is a pattern and practice of discrimination or other systemic illegality at the Massachusetts State Police Academy."
The state police told the I-Team no troopers, instructors or supervisors have been transferred or placed on leave at the academy. The FBI says it does not confirm or deny investigations.
Full statement from Jessie Rossman, ACLU of Massachusetts
"The death of Enrique Delgado-Garcia and allegations of abuse and discrimination at the Massachusetts State Police Academy require a thorough independent investigation. Mr. Delgado-Garcia reportedly was beaten to death at the State Police Academy more than a week ago. His fatal injuries were reportedly incredibly severe, including damage to his brain, a broken neck, and missing teeth. It is hard to imagine how such injuries could have been inflicted in a closely supervised training environment.
Since Mr. Delgado-Garcia's death, one of his former classmates has described his own experiences at the Academy, alleging severe instances of abuse and discrimination. Against the backdrop of Mr. Delgado-Garcia's death, this raises serious questions about whether there is a pattern and practice of discrimination or other systemic illegality at the Academy.
It is critical that allegations of misconduct, discrimination, and abuse at police training facilities - especially at the State Police Academy, and especially after a violent death has occurred - be thoroughly, impartially, and rapidly investigated. After more than a week, Massachusetts law enforcement agencies have yet to launch an independent investigation. Because the State Police are embedded in every major law enforcement agency in the Commonwealth, it appears there is currently no state-level law enforcement agency in a position to do so. Federal authorities, like the U.S. Attorney's Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation, should urgently step in and initiate an immediate federal investigation into Mr. Delgado-Garcia's death and the related circumstances.
In the long term, this raises the broader question about why there is no routine way to investigate potential Massachusetts State Police misconduct within the Commonwealth. Every state actor, including law enforcement, requires oversight; the lack of an established, state-led mechanism to investigate these types of allegations involving State Police is highly concerning."