South Carolina had 48 officer-involved shootings in 2015

COLUMBIA, SC (AP) — Figures show South Carolina had 48 officer-involved shootings in 2015, the highest number since the State Law Enforcement Division began keeping track in 1999.

The State newspaper in Columbia reports (http://bit.ly/1Kj58tE) that in 26 of the 48 instances, suspects pulled guns on officers. SLED numbers show that’s up almost 45 percent from 18 instances in 2014.

SLED numbers show 44 officer-involved shootings occurred in 2012 and 2006.

Fourteen officers and 14 suspects were injured during last year’s 48 officer-involved shootings. One officer and 19 suspects were killed.

Criminology professor Geoffrey Alpert of the University of South Carolina warns that it’s hard to say what the numbers mean without a detailed context for each shooting. And SLED Chief Mark Keel says officers need more training to de-escalate situations.

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Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com

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