Police shooting data shows some surprises

Summary

In the wake of unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, USA Today delved into police shootings across the U.S. Brad Heath, an investigative reporter, discussed the findings of their study, which examined FBI data on police shootings. The data reveals that African-Americans are killed by white police officers almost twice a week, with young people, particularly African-American males, disproportionately represented. However, the data is incomplete, as the FBI's records lack full reporting, including missing states like Florida. Despite these limitations, the study provides crucial insights into the ongoing issue of police violence.

Takeaways

• 😀 The study examined police shootings across the United States following public unrest in Ferguson, Missouri.
• 😀 Data used in the study was sourced from reports that local police departments submit to the FBI annually.
• 😀 The main finding reveals that African-Americans are killed by white police officers almost twice a week on average.
• 😀 On average, about 96 African-Americans are killed by police officers each year.
• 😀 The data provides demographic details, such as the race and age of the individuals killed.
• 😀 More than 50% of individuals killed by police under the age of 20 are African-American.
• 😀 The sample size of the data is fairly large, with over 400 shootings reported annually.
• 😀 However, the FBI's data is incomplete, with some states, such as Florida, missing from the database.
• 😀 The database only reflects police-determined justified homicides, excluding other cases of police shootings.
• 😀 Due to these gaps in reporting, the true number of police shootings is likely higher than what the data shows.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the study discussed in the script?

The study aimed to analyze police shootings across the United States, specifically focusing on the race of the victims and the police officers involved.

Where did the data for the study come from?

The data came from reports submitted by local police departments to the FBI, which provide basic demographic details about police shootings.

What key finding does the study reveal about police shootings of African-Americans?

The study found that African-Americans are killed by white police officers almost twice a week on average in the United States, amounting to about 96 deaths per year.

How does the data differentiate between victims based on age?

The data shows that more than 50% of people killed by police, particularly under the age of 20, are African-American.

Is the sample size of the data considered sufficient?

While the sample size is relatively large, with over 400 shootings reported each year, the data is incomplete, and some information is missing, such as data from the entire state of Florida.

What is the limitation of the FBI's data on police shootings?

The FBI's data is considered incomplete because it only includes homicides that the police have determined to be justified, and it excludes shootings that might not have been classified as such.

What is the significance of the fact that over 50% of victims are under 20 years old?

The fact that a majority of victims are young highlights a concerning trend about the involvement of young African-Americans in police shootings.

Why might the number of shootings be underestimated in the report?

The number might be underestimated because of missing data from certain states, like Florida, and because the report only includes shootings deemed justified by police, omitting other cases.

How often do police shootings of African-Americans occur, according to the study?

On average, African-Americans are killed by white police officers almost twice a week, or around 96 times a year.

What are the limitations of the study in terms of its data accuracy?

The study's data is limited by the fact that it relies on reports from police departments, which may not be comprehensive, and it excludes certain cases, such as those without a determination of justification by police.