All Cases

A team of journalists led by The Associated Press has documented 1,036 deaths over the decade from 2012–2021 after police used physical force or weapons that are meant to be safer than firearms. Browse themes uncovered by this investigation, view details from all the cases and search for cities and towns where deaths happened.

Prone Restraint

One or more officers restrained the deceased facedown on their stomach, often using body weight.

740 Cases

Taser or Stun Gun

One or more officers used an electronic control weapon, firing darts intended to cause neuromuscular incapacitation and/or using the weapon directly against the body as a pain compliance technique, known as “drive-stun.”

538 Cases

Home Location

The most common location of a police encounter was in or near the home of the deceased.

229 Cases

Forced Sedation

Paramedics or other medical staff gave the deceased sedatives during the police encounter.

94 Cases

Excited Delirium

The cause of death cited excited delirium, a disputed concept that’s been used for decades to explain the sudden deaths of people restrained by police.

142 Cases

Officers Charged

At least one officer was criminally charged in the death.

28 Cases

Race: Black

More white people died than any other group, but deaths disproportionately affected Black people.

333 Cases

Death: Homicide

Manner of death was ruled a homicide by medical examiner, coroner or similar official.

271 Cases

Death: Accidental

Manner of death was ruled an accident by medical examiner, coroner or similar official.

443 Cases

Death: Natural

Manner of death was ruled natural by medical examiner, coroner or similar official.

48 Cases

Death: Undetermined

Manner of death could not be determined by medical examiner, coroner or similar official.

186 Cases