Decline in Police Killings: Analyzing the 2025 Data

For the first time in several years, there are indications that police killings in the United States may be on the decline. According to new data from Campaign Zero, a research organization focused on ending police violence, at least 1,314 individuals were killed by police in 2025, marking a decrease from the record high of 1,383 deaths in 2024. This decline is the first annual reduction since 2019 and comes amid increased scrutiny of law enforcement practices, particularly following high-profile incidents involving federal immigration agents.

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Experts attribute the decrease in police-related deaths to several factors, including ongoing staffing shortages that limit the number of officers on patrol, the expanded implementation of de-escalation training, and stricter use-of-force policies. Tracie Keesee, co-founder of the Center for Policing Equity, emphasizes the importance of understanding the data behind these changes, stating, “What do we not know? What’s the data not telling us?”

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In New Jersey, for instance, the mandatory de-escalation training known as ICAT (Integrating Communication, Assessment and Tactics) has been credited with contributing to a significant decline in police killings. This training, which has been adopted by approximately 1,500 law enforcement agencies nationwide, focuses on handling tense situations, particularly those involving individuals in crisis.

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Despite the overall decline, disparities in police violence persist. The report indicates that Black Americans continue to be killed by police at more than twice the rate of white Americans, with similar disparities affecting Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Hispanic populations. This raises questions about the broader implications of the data, as Tracie Keesee notes, “When you still have racial disparities, that means it might not be perceived that killings are down, especially if you’re in communities where a lot of these things seem to take place.”

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The lack of comprehensive national data on police use of force complicates the analysis of these trends. The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting system relies on voluntary submissions from police departments, which can lead to inconsistencies. Additionally, the closure of the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database in 2020 has left significant gaps in tracking police misconduct.

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Experts have expressed caution regarding the sustainability of the observed decline. Logan Kennedy, an assistant professor of criminal justice, highlights the need for ongoing evaluation of policing policies, stating, “Asking questions about whether or not they’re persisting or eroding –– it makes a significant difference.”

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As the conversation around police reform continues, it remains essential to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of new policies and training programs. The potential for long-term change in police practices hinges on sustained commitment to reform and the collection of reliable data to inform future strategies.

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• “You want to have a couple of good years, and you want to begin to gather why we think these things are happening,” — Tracie Keesee, Co-founder, Center for Policing Equity

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• “If you don’t change your training and your tactics and how you communicate with people, you’re not going to see the change in the areas that you can,” — Chuck Wexler, Executive Director, Police Executive Research Forum

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• “There really is a significant misconception about what use of force looks like, and it’s largely because of the fact that we just don’t know what leads to use-of-force incidents,” — Logan Kennedy, Assistant Professor, East Carolina University

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• “The question I always ask (is), ‘Police killings are down for who?’” — Tracie Keesee, Co-founder, Center for Policing Equity

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