The Big Picture

Understanding the nature of officer-involved shootings is critical for policy makers, scholars, and the public. This study examines trends in officer-involved shootings in the Houston Police Department between 2005 and 2019 to provide insights into how demographics and other factors play a role.

Listen to Discussion About This Research

What We Did

Researchers analyzed data on officer-involved shootings from the Houston Police Department, covering the years 2005 to 2019. The study focused on officer and suspect demographics, the nature of their interactions, and situational factors such as the presence of weapons and the context of each incident.

1

Decline in Shootings

Overall, the number of officer-involved shootings declined over time, reflecting broader trends.

2

Demographic Reflections

– The demographics of officers involved in shootings mirrored changes in the police department’s makeup. There was an increase in Hispanic and Asian officers and a decrease in White officers.

– Officer-suspect shooting dyads often involved officers and suspects of the same race.

3

Weapon Involvement

A significant majority of the suspects were armed at the time of the shooting, with firearms being the most common weapon. However, about 20% of the suspects were unarmed.

4

Gender and Race Factors

Female officers were underrepresented in officer-involved shootings. The study found that the race of the officer had a minor impact on shooting incidents, with institutional factors such as training being more influential.
Understanding officer-involved shootings can inform efforts to reduce such incidents by highlighting key areas:

1

The need for improved training that focuses on community engagement rather than aggression.

2

Recognizing the importance of demographic changes within police departments.

3

Addressing broader social and community factors, such as access to weapons and community violence.
Based on the findings, the study suggests:

1

Enhancing police training programs to emphasize de-escalation and community-focused approaches.

2

Encouraging diversity within police departments, although the study found that diversity alone might not reduce shooting incidents.

3

Focusing on reducing violence in communities, as the broader environment impacts the occurrence of shootings.

The big takeaway?

To reduce police shootings, it’s crucial to address both the training of officers and the broader community factors that contribute to violence. Simply increasing diversity within police forces may not be enough without concurrent changes in training and community engagement strategies.

About the Study

This research was published in the Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology in 2023. The full APA citation is: Smith, S., Askew, R. L., Ferguson, C. J., Henderson, H., Montgomery, D., & Olumuyiwa, S. (2023). A Descriptive Analysis of Police Shootings in Houston. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-023-09585-3