The “Fatal Force Database,” launched by The Washington Post in 2015, is a meticulous and comprehensive project aimed at monitoring and recording instances of civilians being shot and killed by on-duty law enforcement officers in the United States. It focuses exclusively on such cases and provides crucial information, including the race of the deceased, the circumstances surrounding the shootings, whether the individuals were armed, and whether they were experiencing a mental health crisis. The data collection process involves gathering information from various sources, such as local news reports, law enforcement websites, social media, and independent databases like Fatal Encounters.
Notably, in 2022, the database underwent an update to standardize and publicly disclose the names of the police agencies involved, which has improved transparency and accountability at the department level. This dataset is distinct from federal sources like the FBI and CDC and has consistently documented more than twice the number of fatal police shootings since 2015, highlighting a significant gap in data collection and the pressing need for comprehensive tracking. It is regularly updated and remains a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and the general public. It offers insights into incidents of police-involved shootings, promotes transparency, and contributes to ongoing discussions regarding police accountability and reform.