NCJ Number
108536
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1987) Pages: 226-238
Date Published
1987
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A survey was conducted of chief administrators of Michigan law enforcement agencies to determine the number and characteristics of incidents involving police use of deadly force between September 1, 1976, and August 31, 1981.
Abstract
Responses from 450 administrators (69-percent return rate) indicated that 295 (66 percent) of agencies had no such incidents, while 155 agencies reported a total of 441 incidents in which there was a civilian fatality or injury caused by police gunfire. Also reported were 203 warning shots and 941 missed shots. Black civilians represented 72 percent of individuals involved in incidents, and a substantial proportion of those involved had criminal histories. The majority of officers who shot at civilians were male, in uniform, on duty, and doing routine patrol. Of the 11 percent of off-duty shootings, a majority occurred in metropolitan areas of the State. More black officers were involved in incidents in metropolitan regions, while more white officers were involved in outstate region incidents, reflecting differences in police force racial composition of the areas. In a large majority of incidents, the civilian involved was male, armed, involved in a felonious criminal activity, and or attempting to escape. Results are discussed with reference to studies of police use of deadly force in other jurisdictions. 6 tables and 30 references.