In the United States, a police officer is more likely to kill or injure you than a criminal.

The United States stands out as the only country where non-criminal individuals face a higher likelihood of being killed or injured by police than by organized crime.

Statistics

Police Killings and Injuries of Unarmed Individuals:

• According to databases such as Mapping Police Violence and the Washington Post's Fatal Force database, around 1,000 people are killed by police each year in the U.S. A significant portion of these victims are unarmed or not involved in serious crimes. For instance, in 2022, approximately 15% of those killed by police were unarmed (World Population Review) (Brennan Center for Justice).
• In addition to fatalities, thousands are injured by police annually. Estimates suggest that tens of thousands of people suffer non-fatal injuries during police encounters each year (World Population Review).

Encounters with Police:

• An estimated 50 million interactions occur between police and civilians annually in the U.S. While most do not result in violence, the sheer number of encounters increases the likelihood of negative outcomes, including fatalities and injuries, especially in high-tension situations (Brennan Center for Justice).

Organized Crime Violence:

• Targeted Violence: Organized crime violence, including gang-related activities, typically targets specific individuals involved in criminal enterprises or disputes. Random civilians not involved in crime are less likely to be targeted.
• Homicides: The majority of the approximately 21,000 homicides annually in the U.S. involve victims with some connection to criminal activities. Organized crime is responsible for a significant portion, though not the majority, of these homicides (Brennan Center for Justice) .

Contextual Factors

Interaction Frequency:

• Non-criminal civilians are far more likely to have routine interactions with police (e.g., traffic stops, community policing) than with members of organized crime groups. This increased interaction frequency raises the statistical likelihood of fatal or injurious encounters with police .

Nature of Violence:

• Police violence can occur in situations where civilians expect safety and protection, such as during routine stops or mental health crises. In contrast, organized crime violence tends to be more isolated to criminal contexts and conflicts .

Statistical Perspective

Likelihood of Being Killed by Police:

• Studies suggest that unarmed Black men, for example, face a higher risk of being killed by police compared to their population size. Black Americans are 2.5 times more likely to be killed by police than white Americans. The overall rate of police killings in the U.S. is higher than in many other developed nations (Brennan Center for Justice) .

Risk for Ordinary Citizens:

• For ordinary, non-criminal citizens, the risk of being killed by organized crime is relatively low compared to those involved in criminal activities. The risk of being killed or injured by police, while still low, is statistically higher given the frequency of police-civilian interactions .

Perception and Impact

Media Coverage:

• High-profile cases of police killings and injuries receive extensive media coverage, amplifying public fear and perception of risk. Organized crime killings, while prevalent, often receive less widespread attention unless they involve mass violence or particularly heinous acts .

Trust and Fear:

• Fear of police can stem from a perceived lack of accountability and the idea that anyone, regardless of criminal involvement, could be subjected to violence. This fear is compounded in communities of color due to historical and systemic issues .

Top Countries

1. United States: The U.S. has a notably high rate of police killings, with around 1,000 people killed annually, a significant portion of whom are unarmed. This rate is higher than in many other developed nations (World Population Review) (Brennan Center for Justice).
2. Brazil: With over 5,800 police killings in a year, Brazil sees a high incidence of police violence, particularly in areas dominated by drug-trafficking gangs. Many victims are often not actively involved in criminal activities (World Population Review) (Brennan Center for Justice).
3. Philippines: Under the Duterte administration's war on drugs, the Philippines has seen thousands of police killings, often during operations targeting alleged drug offenders. Many victims are reported to be non-criminal civilians caught in the crossfire (World Population Review) (Brennan Center for Justice).
4. Venezuela: With a high rate of police killings, Venezuela sees many deaths attributed to police violence, often amid political and social unrest. Many of these killings involve individuals not engaged in criminal activities (World Population Review) (Brennan Center for Justice).
5. El Salvador: This country has a high rate of police killings per capita, driven by aggressive anti-gang operations. Many of those killed by police are not active gang members but are caught up in the violence (World Population Review) (Brennan Center for Justice).

Conclusion

For non-criminal individuals, the likelihood of being killed or injured by police is higher compared to being killed by organized crime, primarily due to the frequency of interactions with police and the nature of police violence, which can occur even in routine or non-criminal contexts. However, it's important to recognize that both risks are relatively low in absolute terms for the average person not involved in criminal activities. Addressing these issues involves improving police accountability, reducing unnecessary use of force, and fostering better community relations.