Record number of police officers shot in 2023, report labels it a stain on society
Record-Breaking Number of Law Enforcement Officers Shot in 2023
According to a report from the National Fraternal Order of Police, there was a shocking increase in the number of law enforcement officers shot in the line of duty in 2023.
Disturbing Statistics
- In 2023, a staggering 378 officers were shot, marking a 60% increase since 2018 when the FOP began tracking data.
- Tragically, 46 police officers lost their lives.
The FOP expressed their concern, stating, ”These horrifying statistics are a grim reminder of the War on Cops in this country. A stain on our society.”
A Disheartening Reality
FOP President Patrick Yoes expressed disappointment, saying, “Last year, over 330 police officers were shot in the line of duty. With the COVID-19 pandemic behind us and after so many Americans have seen the tragic consequences of the defund the police movement, it was our hope that these numbers would be a high-water mark. We were wrong.”
The National FOP report on officers shot in 2023 has just been released and the results are horrifying!
378 officers shot, highest number since we started tracking the data.
60% increase in officers shot since 2018.
115 ambush attacks that resulted in 138 officers shot.
46… pic.twitter.com/aR2vOeyi2b
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) January 2, 2024
In 2022, there were 62 officers killed. Yoes attributed the decrease in fatalities to advancements in medical trauma science and anti-ballistic technology.
Remembering the Heroes
Yoes emphasized the human toll, stating, “Many will often look at this data and just see numbers, but we must remember that they represent heroes — fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. This scale of violence against our officers is horrifying and simply unsustainable. It is no wonder that our profession is facing a recruitment and retention crisis. What father or mother would want their child to become an officer knowing the dangers they face every day?”
The FOP report highlighted the alarming number of ambush-style attacks on police officers. It revealed, “There have been 115 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers this year. These ambush-style attacks have resulted in 138 officers shot, 20 of whom were killed.”
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The report did not account for the number of times police officers were shot at but not hit. Additionally, it featured the names and pictures of all the officers who lost their lives to gunfire in 2023.
Yoes urged Congress to pass the Protect and Serve Act, which “establishes a new criminal offense for knowingly assaulting a law enforcement officer and causing serious bodily injury (or attempting to do so).” He emphasized, “The violence against those sworn to protect and serve is beyond unacceptable; it’s a stain on our society, and it must end. It is incumbent upon our elected officials and community leaders to stand up, support our heroes, and speak out against the violence against law enforcement officers.”
Following the death of George Floyd in May 2020, anti-police sentiment spread across the United States. Some cities initially moved to defund their police departments but later reversed course as violent crime surged.
How has the rhetoric and actions of the defund the police movement affected the safety of law enforcement officers?
Is facing a recruitment crisis.”
The report also revealed that the majority of these shootings occurred in urban areas, with Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City seeing the highest number of incidents. The FOP called on city leaders and lawmakers to take immediate action to address the issue of violence against law enforcement.
The Impact of the Defund the Police Movement
The FOP report highlighted the impact of the defund the police movement, stating that these numbers are a clear result of the rhetoric and actions taken by those advocating for defunding or dismantling police departments. Yoes stated, “When you vilify and undermine law enforcement, you create an environment of hostility and violence. These numbers are a direct reflection of that.”
Law enforcement agencies have been facing increased scrutiny and public backlash following high-profile incidents of police brutality. Calls for police reform and defunding the police have gained traction, further straining the relationship between communities and the police.
The Way Forward
The FOP urged lawmakers and community leaders to work towards fostering a better relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve. They called for increased support for law enforcement agencies, including proper funding, training, and resources to ensure the safety of officers.
Yoes concluded, “We need to stand together, united against violence and hatred towards law enforcement. The men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities deserve our unwavering support.”
The record-breaking number of law enforcement officers shot in 2023 serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that officers face in the line of duty. It is a call to action for communities, lawmakers, and individuals to come together and find solutions to address the violence and support the brave men and women who serve and protect us.
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