Number Of Officers Firing Weapons At All-Time Low
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The number of city police officers firing their weapons hit an all-time low last year.
Figures released by the New York City Police Department this week show a total of 364 shots fired by 125 officers in 2008. It's the lowest number since record keeping began in 1971.
The data show most of the shots fired were in conflict with suspects who had or were believed to have a weapon. Of those shot, 13 were killed and another 18 were wounded.
The figures come as the New York Civil Liberties Union is suing the NYPD to release more data about police-involved shootings.
The group says police do not release enough details about the use of force against civilians, and wants access to reports filed 24 hours and 90 days after a shooting.
"It's important to see what happened in each case, so that we can understand as the public what went wrong, and make our assessment as to whether or not the police department is doing what it's supposed to, in order to ensure that the police department is functioning effectively and fairly,” said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman.
A police spokesman says the NYPD provides more information on police involved shootings than any other department in the country. But Lieberman says the NYPD only releases information when it's compelled to by lawmakers.