Facts and Figures on Injuries Caused by Law Enforcement
A timeline of deaths and injuries from law enforcement interventions in the U.S.
Summary of U.S.-level data, 2001-2022
In the U.S. during a given year, an estimated 1 million civilians experience police threat of or use of force resulting in a conservative estimate of 75,000 non-fatal injuries requiring hospital treatment and 600-1100 deaths. Both Black/African-Americans and Hispanics/Latinos are twice as likely to experience threat of or use of force during police initiated contact (Bureau of Justice Statistics). Based on CDC data, Black African-Americans are more than twice as likely to be killed and almost 5-times more likely to suffer an injury requiring medical care at a hospital compared to white non-Hispanics.
Report links
Summary of Chicago, Cook County & Illinois hospital data, 2016-23
This report (download the PDF) summarizes civilian injuries treated in Illinois hospitals between January 2016 and December 2023. For every death, there are approximately 35-60 non-fatal injuries that require treatment in a hospital; 12.6% of the civilians suffered traumatic brain injuries, which have potential long-term severe outcomes. While civilian injuries caused by law enforcement impacts all citizens in the State, African Americans are consistently and disproportionately the victims of both fatal and non-fatal injuries caused by law enforcement. The injury incidence rates among African-Americans are 5-10 times higher compared to white non-Hispanics depending on the region of residence.
Chicago, Cook County and Illinois hospital data report links
Upcoming reports
The Law Enforcement Epidemiology Project at the University of Illinois Chicago aims to provide up-to-date surveillance data on civilian injuries caused during contact with law enforcement in the U.S., Illinois and Cook County-Chicago.
Riks of Injury Among People with Disabilities
Our latest report describes injury severity and cause of injuries amongst people with two major disability types: behavioral/emotional & neuromuscular disabilities.
Cost of Police Misconduct to Taxpayers
Our latest report which summarizes Cook County and City of Chicago lawsuits involving civil suits for wrongful death, excessive force, false arrest, illegal detention, illegal search and seizure, civil rights violations and property damage will be released shortly. The report summarizes the cost to taxpayers from police misconduct.
Officers with Repeated Complaints & Violations
Our latest report which summarizes officers with repeated complaints and violations will be released shortly. These data comes from Police Review Authorities and Internal Affairs documents that are made publicly available.
Surveillance System in U.S.: Comparing the Numbers
We have described a framework for a comprehensive surveillance system based on existing public health data sources that can be implemented immediately to augment police reports and data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. A final report will be published shortly.