US Will Review Rash of Police Deaths

Ten officers have been killed already in January
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 26, 2011 2:12 PM CST
US Will Review Rash of Police Deaths
Police officers salute as the funeral procession carrying two Miami police officers passes Monday, Jan. 24, 2011 in Miami.   (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

Here's a disturbing trend: The number of US police officers killed in the line of duty increased by 40% in 2010, including a 20% increase in those shot to death. And the trend shows no sign of slowing—10 officers have already been killed nationwide in 2011, including the pair killed in a Miami shootout. The Justice Department has now decided to mount a review of all factors—training or lack of proper protection, for example—that could be contributing to the spike, reports USA Today.

"Clearly, there must be some common denominators out there," said the president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. "If we can identify some of them, we can do some good, even if it means one less officer is killed." Police officials have previously singled out factors such as officers getting lax about wearing body armor and the ease with which criminals can get high-caliber weapons.
(More police stories.)

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