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Police were involved in 1,314 deaths in the United States in 2025, down from 1,383 the year before. Annual totals have exceeded 1,000 throughout the period observed. Most of these fatalities were caused by gunshots. High-profile cases, including the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020, brought the issue of police violence to the center of political discourse in the U.S.

Police Violence in the U.S.

Police violence is defined as any instance where a police officer’s use of force results in a civilian’s death, regardless of whether it is considered justified by the law. While many people killed by police in the U.S. were shot, other causes of death have included tasers, vehicles, and physical restraints or beatings. Rates of fatal police shootings are higher for Black Americans than for other groups. Recent cases involving unarmed Black men and women have prompted widespread protests and renewed scrutiny of policing, particularly in communities of colour.

America’s Persistent Police Problem

Despite greater public attention in recent years, fatal encounters involving police in the United States have remained persistently high. Compared with other countries, U.S. rates are far above those in England. Such incidents occur across nearly all states and in the District of Columbia, though some states report notably higher per capita rates than others, including New Mexico.