When Will They Shoot?

[TBF]

When Will They Shoot?
by Peter Frase (Jacobin ~ 8.17.14)

Lots of people are at risk on the job. But when it comes to cops, they’re mostly a danger to others.

Policing is not the country’s safest job, to be sure. But as the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries shows, it’s far from the most dangerous.

The 2012 data reports that for “police and sheriff’s patrol officers,” the Fatal Injury Rate — that is, the “number of fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers” — was 15.0.

That includes all causes of death — of the 105 dead officers recorded in the 2012 data, only 51 died due to “violence and other injuries by persons or animals.” Nearly as many, 48, died in “transportation incidents,” i.e., crashing their cars.

Here are some occupations with higher fatality rates than being a cop:

Logging workers: 129.9
Fishers and related fishing workers: 120.8
Aircraft pilots and flight engineers: 54.3
Roofers: 42.2

Much more here: https://www.jacobinmag.com/2014/08/when-will-they-shoot/

[CrispyQ]

1. Great article.

Refuse and recyclable material collectors: 32.3

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs: 16.2

The United States is a dangerous place, and the workplace in particular is far too dangerous for far too many. But if you want to thank someone for bravely facing down danger in order to make your way of life possible, thank your garbage collector or your taxi driver. When it comes to the cops, they’re mostly a danger to others.

I hope these images wake people up to how local police departments are changing & the implication for our communities.