Evidence from Rising Police Use of Force in Suburban and Rural Areas

Guardian and The Hill published troubling analyses concerning trends in police use of force across the United States. These articles help shed light on the frequency, types, and outcomes of these incidents, providing a data-driven basis for rethinking how policing practices work in America.

The recent police shooting of Brandon Durham (watch news coverage) exposes critical flaws in the way law enforcement agencies are entrusted to protect and serve their communities. Durham, the homeowner, called 911 to report a violent home invasion. Despite dispatchers describing the suspect as wearing a red beanie and black sweatshirt, the responding officer shot Durham, who was wearing only his underwear. After Durham was injured and lying on the bedroom floor, the officer approached and fired five more rounds. This tragic incident follows the earlier police shootings of Sonya Massey and Roger Fortson, in which the officers involved were subsequently fired and charged by the same department they had served.

Few situations are as tragic as when a sworn officer, tasked with safeguarding the public, recklessly takes the life of an innocent person. In this piece, we examine the alarming frequency and scale of such incidents, shedding light on the deeper issues within law enforcement practices.

Statistical Overview

Within the jurisdictions where law enforcement agencies track and report data on use of force (roughly half of the country’s agencies), an average of 83% of those who experienced force were unarmed. Even more alarming, less than 40% of these incidents were related to reports of violence or violent crimes. This mirrors data collected by PoliceViolence.org that reported only 30% of those killed by police in 2023 were related to reported violent crimes. This statistical data not only quantifies the problem but underscores the inherent personal risks that permeate law enforcement interactions.

Types of Force Utilized

Analysis of the types of force shows a range from physical restraint and tasering to lethal shootings. For instance, data from 2022 tallied over 21,000 reported uses of tasers. 8,100 incidents of chemicals being sprayed, 4,300 cases where individuals were hit by batons or beanbag munitions, 2,100 incidents of K-9 deployments, 1,400 firearm discharges, and over 100 instances of neck restraint use. 

Ultimately a 2023 report published by Police Strategies LLC, highlights the lack of data on police use-of-force, but estimates there are over 400,000 police use-of-force incidents every year within the United States. 

Injuries and Fatalities

The human cost of these encounters is stark. The data shows that in addition to the deaths, an estimated 100,000 suffer severe injuries each year resulting from police use of force. These injuries often have long-lasting effects on the individuals' health, livelihood, and trust in law enforcement.

Trends and Patterns

According to FiveThirtyEight, a data-driven publication focused on advancing public knowledge, there is an increasing divide between urban areas and their suburban and rural counterparts. Data shows that police use of force, killings, and overall arrests are declining in urban cities, while these issues are rising in suburban and rural areas. Notably, the increase in police killings is primarily driven by non-urban areas, which more than offset the declines in urban cities. FiveThirtyEight attributes this shift to growing civil liabilities and Department of Justice interventions in urban law enforcement agencies, where similar reform initiatives are largely absent in suburban and rural departments.

Our Conclusions

The data provided paints a clear picture: there is a critical need for fundamental overhauls of police training that emphasizes de-escalation techniques and judicious use of force. Additionally, it is important to establish strict oversight mechanisms and accurate tracking of use-of-force incidents to help ensure accountability and transparency in police operations. The imperative for action is undeniable. Policymakers, law enforcement leaders, and community advocates must use this data as a call to action. Failure to act risks not only further loss of life and deprivation of constitutional rights but also the erosion of community trust that is essential for effective law enforcement. ~