Police Violence and Accountability Remain Elusive in the US

Strategic Insights -

In the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, American society saw widespread protests and demands for justice and accountability. However, nearly two years later, police violence and accountability continue to be major concerns. Despite high-profile convictions in cases involving former Minneapolis police officers Derek Chauvin and Kimberly Potter, the data shows that very little has changed. Since Floyd's death in May 2020, 1,646 people have been killed by the police, with an average of three people per day being killed by law enforcement.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of people killed by police in the US has remained steady at an alarming level, with 1,646 deaths since May 2020, averaging three people per day.
  • Despite high-profile convictions in cases involving former Minneapolis police officers Derek Chauvin and Kimberly Potter, the rarity of criminal charges against officers remains exceptionally rare, with most police shootings being considered lawful by law enforcement.
  • Racial disparities in police killings persist, with Black people remaining two and a half to three times as likely to be killed by a police officer as white people.
  • The law and power of police unions often protect officers from accountability, according to activists and legal experts.
  • Chris Uggen, sociology and law professor at the University of Minnesota, notes that high-profile cases can still send a message to police, but many experts are reluctant to read too much into isolated cases.
  • Paul Butler, professor at Georgetown University Law Center, emphasizes that criminal trials are designed to bring individual wrongdoers to justice, rather than being instruments of systemic change.
  • Philip M. Stinson, criminal justice professor at Bowling Green State University, believes that the number of deaths from excessive police force is higher than recorded and reflected in news coverage.
  • Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, constitutional law professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, says that accountability also needs to extend to prosecutors who have historically given officers "carte blanche."
  • Jim Pasco, executive director of the National Fraternal Order of Police, argues that the rarity of criminal charges against officers does not indicate a lack of accountability, but rather reflects that most police shootings are lawful.

Statistics:

  • 1,646 people have been killed by police since May 2020, averaging three people per day.
  • 21 officers have been charged with murder or manslaughter for an on-duty shooting this year.
  • Five of the officers charged are for the same encounter, the killing in November 2020 of a 15-year-old boy.
  • Racial disparities in police killings persist, with Black people remaining two and a half to three times as likely to be killed by a police officer as white people.
  • The number of people killed by police in the US has remained steady at an alarming level.

Sources:

  • Mapping Police Violence, a nonprofit that tracks people killed by the police.
  • Chris Uggen, sociology and law professor at the University of Minnesota.
  • Paul Butler, professor at Georgetown University Law Center.
  • Philip M. Stinson, criminal justice professor at Bowling Green State University.
  • Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, constitutional law professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
  • Jim Pasco, executive director of the National Fraternal Order of Police.
  • Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, journalist who contributed reporting to the article.