Rising Police Killings Highlight Ongoing Crisis of Violence Against Communities of Color

Documented police killings in the United States have seen a steady increase from 2019 to 2023, with people of color disproportionately affected. An analysis by NBC News of the Mapping Police Violence database reveals that the annual rate of police killings has remained consistent, with between 1,000 and 1,300 fatalities recorded each year since 2013. This trend persists a decade after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown Jr. in Ferguson, Missouri, which ignited widespread protests against police brutality. Experts emphasize that police violence has not diminished in the years following Brown's death. Sirry Alang, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh, noted that despite the public outcry following high-profile cases like Brown's and Eric Garner's, there has been no significant increase in criminal charges against officers involved in fatal shootings. Philip Stinson, a criminal justice professor, corroborated this, stating that while there may be a rise in cases taken up by prosecutors, the overall statistics show no meaningful change in accountability for police officers. The Mapping Police Violence database, maintained by the nonprofit Campaign Zero, indicates that 2023 is on track to record the highest number of police killings at this point in the year, with over 790 fatalities reported. This alarming trend is echoed by similar findings from The Washington Post, highlighting a persistent issue in law enforcement practices. Alang criticized the lack of comprehensive federal data on police violence, calling it a significant barrier to understanding and addressing the crisis. The ongoing rise in police killings underscores the urgent need for reform and accountability within law enforcement agencies across the nation.