Des Moines Police Sgt. Jennifer Grose sued the city in Jan. 2026, claiming lead poisoning from the police academy range caused health issues and retaliation after reporting exposure.

Des Moines Police Sergeant Jennifer Grose has sued the city, alleging she suffered lead poisoning in January 2024 at the police academy’s firing range, leading to headaches, memory loss, joint pain, and elevated blood lead levels. She claims the city failed to address known contamination risks, retaliated by reassigning her, and denied her the right to report exposure for six days. The lawsuit, filed January 7, 2026, cites prior EPA exceedances at the range and asserts negligence and whistleblower retaliation under Iowa law. Other officers also tested positive for lead.