Citation

Swedler DI, Kercher C, Simmons MM, Pollack KM. Inj. Prev. 2014; 20(1): 35-40.

Affiliation

Center for Injury Research and Policy, , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/injuryprev-2013-040799

PMID

23728438

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To understand the circumstances surrounding the occupational homicides of law enforcement officers (LEOs) in the USA. METHODS: Narrative text analysis of Federal Bureau of Investigation Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted reports. RESULTS: A total of 796 officers were killed in the line of duty between 1996 and 2010. The occupational homicide rate during the time peaked in 2001 at 3.76/100 000 (excluding those killed during the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks), and was lowest in 2008 at 1.92/100 000. Most LEOs (67%) were killed by short-barrel firearms; 10% were killed with their own service weapon. The most frequent encounter with a suspect prior to a homicide was responding to a disturbance call. CONCLUSIONS: These results should inform officer training and the policies, as well as procedures used when interacting with suspects, especially when firearms are involved.

Language: en