AP Investigation Reveals Over 1,000 Deaths After Police Use of Force Not Intended to be Lethal

Deadly Encounters: A Decade of Police Use of Force

Over the past decade, a disturbing pattern of police use of force leading to death has emerged across the United States. In countless cases, individuals have lost their lives after encountering law enforcement in situations where force was used. The use of tactics such as physical holds, Tasers, and restraints, intended to subdue individuals without causing harm, have resulted in tragic fatalities. This investigation, conducted by The Associated Press in collaboration with the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism programs and FRONTLINE (PBS), sheds light on the profound impact of these lethal encounters.

Carl Grant: An Unnecessary Tragedy

Carl Grant, a Vietnam veteran suffering from dementia, became the victim of a fatal encounter with law enforcement in 2020. His journey to purchase groceries ended in tragedy when police in Birmingham, Alabama used force against him in two separate incidents after residents called 911. Despite being disoriented and non-threatening, Grant was taken to the ground, pushed down stairs, and ultimately body-slammed in a hospital room, resulting in his paralysis. The excessive force used by officers led to his untimely death, leaving his family devastated and seeking justice for his unnecessary and avoidable passing.

Taylor Ware: A Tragic Mishandling of a Mental Health Crisis

Taylor Ware, a former Marine and college student living with bipolar disorder, was fatally subdued by law enforcement during a manic episode in Indiana. Despite his family's pre-emptive call to 911 advising officers to wait for backup due to Ware's condition, he was confronted by an officer and attacked by a police dog. Subsequent use of a stun gun and a cascade of forceful measures resulted in Ware falling into a coma and passing away three days later. The mishandling of this mental health crisis underscored the deep flaws in how law enforcement responds to individuals with mental health challenges.

Donald Ivy Jr: A Case of Racial Profiling and Tragic Consequences

Donald Ivy Jr., a three-sport athlete and scholar, became the victim of racial profiling that led to a deadly encounter with police in Albany, New York. Suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, Ivy's behavior was misunderstood and misinterpreted by officers who attempted to detain him. The situation escalated, culminating in Ivy's tragic death after being subjected to excessive force, including the use of a stun gun and physical restraint. The failure to recognize and respond to Ivy's mental health condition ultimately led to a devastating loss for his family and community.

The Larger Picture: Disproportionate Impact and Systemic Failures

These individual cases are part of a larger, troubling trend where lives have been needlessly lost as a result of police use of force. The investigation revealed that over a decade, more than 1,000 individuals died following encounters with police that were not intended to be lethal. These fatalities disproportionately affected Black Americans, highlighting systemic disparities and failures in law enforcement practices. Individuals with medical, mental health, or drug-related emergencies were particularly vulnerable to the improper application of force, even in situations where minimal resistance was evident.

An Urgent Call for Transparency and Accountability

The investigation, conducted over three years, uncovered a lack of transparency and accountability within the justice system when it comes to police-involved fatalities. Officers involved in fatal encounters were often cleared by their departments, and local and state authorities withheld critical information from reports. Medical examiners and coroners, responsible for scrutinizing these deaths, frequently attributed them to factors such as accidents, drug use, or preexisting health conditions, diverting attention from the role of law enforcement in contributing to these tragic outcomes. The lack of accountability in the face of these fatal encounters has raised urgent concerns about the need for transparency and systemic reform.

The Need for Meaningful Reform and Change

The findings of this investigation underscore the critical need for meaningful reform in law enforcement practices. The pervasiveness of fatal encounters resulting from the misuse of force demands comprehensive changes in training, policies, and oversight within police departments. Addressing the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, improving responses to mental health crises, and establishing clear standards for the application of force are urgent imperatives in the pursuit of justice and public safety.

A Collective Responsibility

As the investigation illustrates, the issue of deadly police encounters goes beyond individual tragedies; it is a collective responsibility to address the systemic failures that have led to the loss of lives. The call for reform and change must be supported by a collaborative effort involving communities, law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and advocates for justice. Only through concerted action and a commitment to accountability can the patterns of deadly police encounters be confronted and resolved, paving the way for a more just and equitable society.

[This story is part of an ongoing investigation led by The Associated Press in collaboration with the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism programs and FRONTLINE (PBS). The investigation includes the Lethal Restraint interactive story, database and the documentary, “Documenting Police Use Of Force,” premiering April 30 on PBS.]

[Contributing to this story were Thalia Beaty, Martha Bellisle, Jacques Billeaud, Michael Catalini, Brett Chambers, Mary Dalrymple, Trenton Daniel, Kristin M. Hall, Roxana Hegeman, Carla K. Johnson, Angeliki Kastanis, Denise Lavoie, Andy Lemberger, Brian McDonnell, Aaron Morrison, Sean Mussenden, Serginho Roosblad, Rhonda Shafner, Taylor Stevens, Mitch Weiss and Helen Wieffering.]

[To view stories by journalists at the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism programs, go here.]

[The Associated Press receives support from the Public Welfare Foundation for reporting focused on criminal justice. This story also was supported by Columbia University’s Ira A. Lipman Center for Journalism and Civil and Human Rights in conjunction with Arnold Ventures. The AP is solely responsible for all content.]

[Contact AP’s global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/]