A new FBI report released on Tuesday reveals that the rate of assaults on American law enforcement officers surged to a 10-year peak in 2023, with over 79,000 officer attacks reported.
The report, drawing from data collected from various agencies nationwide, sheds light on the escalating trend of violence against law enforcement. Particularly concerning is the rise in assaults involving firearms, with agencies reporting 466 such incidents in 2023, marking the highest level in a decade. This represents a significant increase from fewer than 200 officers assaulted and injured by guns in 2014.
Despite a slight decrease in the number of officers killed as a result of criminal acts in 2023 compared to the previous year, the figures for the past three years indicate a troubling trend. FBI officials note that while there has been a decline over the last three years, the number of officer killings due to criminal acts during this period surpasses any other three-year period in the last two decades.
According to the report, officers killed between 2014 and 2023 had an average of 12 years of experience as sworn officers, underscoring the impact on seasoned law enforcement professionals.
Furthermore, the report highlights the risk faced by officers in the line of duty, with more than 230 reported accidental deaths between 2019 and 2023. The majority of these fatalities, accounting for 57%, were attributed to vehicle crashes, while another 30% resulted from officers being struck by vehicles.
The findings of the FBI report underscore the challenges and dangers faced by law enforcement officers across the United States, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address and mitigate these risks.