GALVESTON — The Galveston Municipal Police Association is criticizing the city’s emergency medical services following a water rescue training accident at Schlitterbahn Waterpark on Sept. 3 that left two officers injured.

According to the association, one officer was trapped underwater for about 90 seconds during a swift water exercise and was pulled out unconscious and without a pulse. Members of the Galveston Police Dive Team and Houston Fire Department administered CPR before EMS arrived at about 9:23 a.m., the release said.

The officer was stabilized and transported to John Sealy Emergency Room.

In a statement, the police association said EMS personnel delayed transport for more than 20 minutes while an employee trained another on computer entry procedures. The association said Galveston officers offered to help drive the ambulance to expedite the response but were turned down.

“To say we are disappointed in Galveston EMS would be an understatement,” GMPA President Anthony Rogers wrote in the release. “The lack of professionalism and care given to our member will not be tolerated.”

The association called on Galveston EMS leadership to take “immediate action” in response to the incident.

Dr. Phillip Keiser, CEO of the Galveston County Health District, which oversees the county’s ambulance service, told another outlet, i45now on September 5th, that early reports indicated the officer was alert and stable, with medics evaluating him before transport, as is standard protocol.

“If the patient were not stable or not alert, then that’s a matter for immediate transport,” Keiser told i45now. “But from what we have been able to ascertain for now, that wasn’t the case. He was stable, alert, and communicating with [the medics].”

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect new statements from the ambulance staff’s administration, via i45now. (9/7/25)