CA Fines SFPD Over Recruit Training Death: Report

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Officials fined the San Francisco Police Department tens of thousands of dollars after finding serious violations in the death of a recruit during a training session in 2025, according to a report from KQED.

Jon-Marques Pslams, a 30-year-old police recruit, was taking part in a high-intensity training exercise over the summer when he suffered a "sequelae of rhabdomyolysis," according to the report. He was hospitalized and died two days later.

Sequelae of rhabdomyolysis is a rare injury that can happen after an injury or as a result of excessive exercise.

When this happens, muscles break down, and toxic components of the muscle fibers leak into the circulatory system and kidneys, causing what's known as muscle death.

California workplace regulators fined the SFPD $40,500, saying the agency did not effectively identify or evaluate safety and health risks tied to the physical drills officers, including Psalms, were performing, according to the report.

CAL/OSHA also found that supervisors were not adequately trained to oversee the exercises, according to the report.

Read more from KQED.