NCJ Number
195904
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 71 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2002 Pages: 8-13
Editor(s)
John E. Ott
Date Published
July 2002
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This research study examines contributing factors related to the accidental line-of-duty deaths of law enforcement officers and factors involved in reducing accidental deaths.
Abstract
In 1998, a dramatic change occurred in the number of accidental line-of-duty deaths for police officers. Statistics showed that 20 more officers died (81) in accidents than due to criminal action (61). Evidence from a previous study suggests that several factors or circumstances contributed to accidental deaths from 1996 to 2000 that included, in order: (1) automobile accidents; (2) motorcycle accidents; (3) aircraft accidents; (4) struck by vehicles; (5) accidental shootings; and (6) other (e.g., drownings and falls). Characteristics of officers killed in vehicle accidents included: (1) risk-taking; (2) possessed sense of invincibility; (3) increasing comfort level; (4) lack of training; and (5) pursued misdemeanor suspects under high-risk conditions. In an attempt to reduce the number of accidental deaths, four issues were identified as needing review: training procedures and tactics, safety supervision, equipment checks, and additional data analysis.