Police violence in Brazil – statistics & facts
Brazil is grappling with a pervasive issue of police violence, characterized by significant racial disparities. In 2023 alone, police officers killed 6,393 people, at an average rate of 18 deaths per day. Of these victims, 82.7 percent were identified as Black or Pardo Brazilian, the latter meaning of mixed ethnic origin. This figure stands in stark contrast with Brazil's demographics, where 53 percent of the population identifies with these ethnicities.
Police officers are also susceptible to such ethnic profiling. In 2023, 127 police officers lost their lives in the line of duty or in off-duty confrontations. Of these 127 fatalities, Black police officers accounted for approximately 70 percent of the mortal cases. However, this ethnic group represents only 38 percent of military and civilian police personnel.
Brazil is facing challenges with high rates of police-related death and declining public trust in law enforcement. In response, the South American country has established the Ministry of Racial Equality in 2023 and has supported initiatives like the Black Youth Alive campaign, which aims to address lethal violence in affected communities.
The curse of racial profiling
Brazil's police forces have long been criticized for their use of excessive force, particularly in low-income and marginalized Black communities. Black inhabitants in the country are 3.5 times more likely to be killed by the police than white residents. In the state of Rio de Janeiro, a hotspot for police violence, the Supreme Court restricted unplanned police operations in favelas in 2020. This restriction led to a fall in deaths caused by the police in the state. Nevertheless, in 2023, 79 percent of victims in the region were of Black or Pardo Brazilian ethnicity.Police officers are also susceptible to such ethnic profiling. In 2023, 127 police officers lost their lives in the line of duty or in off-duty confrontations. Of these 127 fatalities, Black police officers accounted for approximately 70 percent of the mortal cases. However, this ethnic group represents only 38 percent of military and civilian police personnel.
Impunity leads to distrust
Although police violence is a multifactor phenomenon, the lack of accountability is a major contributor. Officers involved in violent accidents are rarely prosecuted and, when they are, the investigations suffer many obstructions, such as witness intimidation, forensic delays, and biased testimony. Such impunity is reflected in the image of the institutions. Trust in the police as been trending downwards since 2023. In that year, 74 percent of the population claimed to have some degree of trust in the police. As of 2025, this figure stands at 66 percent. Fear of the police is also on the rise, as one in every two Black people in Brazil claims to have more fear than trust in the police.Brazil is facing challenges with high rates of police-related death and declining public trust in law enforcement. In response, the South American country has established the Ministry of Racial Equality in 2023 and has supported initiatives like the Black Youth Alive campaign, which aims to address lethal violence in affected communities.
