Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A recent study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions and Vanderbilt University has shed light on the prevalence of police shootings in the United States. The study, which analyzed data from 2015 to 2020, found that an average of 1,769 people were injured annually in police shootings, with 55 percent of those injuries proving to be fatal.
Incidents and Armed Victims
During the six-year study period, a total of 10,308 incidents involving police shootings were documented. The majority of victims in these shootings, 84 percent in total, were reported as armed with a firearm or other weapon, such as a knife or vehicle, at the time of the incident.
Police Responses and Fatalities
The analysis also revealed that police responses initiated by a call to emergency dispatchers were 46 percent more likely to end with a fatal shooting injury compared to incidents where an officer was already on the scene. Calls related to checking on the well-being of individuals were 74 percent more likely to result in fatal injuries as well.
Racial Disparities
The study highlighted significant racial disparities in police shootings, with non-Hispanic Black individuals comprising 29 percent of those nonfatally injured in police shootings. Non-Hispanic Black people were also found to have 35 percent lower odds of fatal injury when shot compared to white victims.
Behavioral Health Calls
Incidents involving mental or behavioral health conditions accounted for 23 percent of all police shootings. Victims with behavioral health needs were more likely to suffer fatal injuries, with 67 percent of such incidents resulting in fatalities.
Recommendations for Change
Researchers involved in the study have called for improvements in social services to make responding to behavioral health calls safer for all involved. They have suggested the implementation of non-police mobile units and a co-responder model involving police and mental health professionals.
Need for Comprehensive Data Reporting
The study also emphasized the need for more comprehensive and standardized data reporting on all police shootings, both fatal and nonfatal. Researchers believe that such reporting is crucial in understanding the full impact of these incidents, especially among groups disproportionately affected.
Conclusion
The study’s findings provide valuable insights into the prevalence and impact of police shootings in the United States. By highlighting the need for improved data collection and social services, researchers hope to contribute to efforts aimed at preventing future injurious shootings by police.
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