“UNDETERMINED”

A yearlong investigation into “excited delirium” prompted Colorado officials to change training requirements for all law enforcement officers in the state in late 2023. The term was widely used when someone suddenly died in custody after forcible restraint. Officials blamed the death on the body and mind being so excited and delirious that the heart shut down, instead of blaming the dangers of restraint.

“UNDETERMINED” linked over 225 deaths across the United States to the state of “excited delirium.” Through dedicated reporting and research, the reporters created a database built upon hundreds of open records requests in California and Florida.

Reporting by Chris Vanderveen, Chris Hansen and Jenna Bourne prompted significant reforms. Colorado revised its law enforcement training curriculum to exclude “excited delirium.” The American College of Emergency Physicians distanced itself from a longstanding endorsement of the term, attributing this policy shift to KUSA-TV’s rigorous investigation. State representatives acknowledged the team for bringing actionable issues to light.

The investigation not only exposed systemic flaws in how deaths in custody are classified but also contributed to a broader national discourse on police practices and public health. “UNDETERMINED” is a testament to the power of local journalism to drive substantial change on a local and national scale.

Article by: Abbi Ross