June 28, 2020
| Statistics published annually by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program show that close distance firearm encounters feature more officers killed by an offender compared with situations involving greater distances. The referenced article [1] addresses a case study involving a uniformed patrol officer who was shot multiple times by a gang member within close proximity. This article also identifies lessons learned and national statistics regarding on-duty peace officer deaths.
Why should I review this information?
The FBI LEOKA Program is an invaluable resource for local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. The article with the case study provides a 30-years analysis of 1,665 law enforcement officers killed with firearms in relation to the distances murdered [1]. The online FBI LEOKA publications,1996-2019, provide invaluable insights for line personnel, trainers, supervisors, and managers to enhance training programs towards preventing injuries and saving lives. Managers may find the information useful in risk management and mitigation, identification of contemporary training needs, and justification to provide necessary equipment to enhance public and officer safety and improve performance [2].
Sources:
[1] Young, Marcus, What Is a Safe Distance? Officer Survival Spotlight, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, July 2016, https://leb.fbi.gov/spotlights/officer-survival-spotlight-what-is-a-safe-distance
[2] U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Justice Information Services Division, Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ucr/publications#LEOKA