“Non-lethal” police tactics are supposedly meant to stop people without seriously harming much less killing them. Authorities employ a variety of methods, including the use of tasers and physical holds. There’s still a big problem: the hundreds of deaths caused as a result of non-lethal force.
According to the Associated Press, over a decade, more than 1,000 people died after police subdued them with non-lethal force. Many of these victims were unarmed. Police brand themselves as peacekeepers, able to defuse any situation. Instead, their supposed restraint often results in death.
Although Black people make up 12% of the U.S. population, our community accounts for a third of deaths from non-lethal police force. Those in a medical emergency or mental health crisis are also often victims of non-lethal force. People in need are senselessly being killed when their safety should have been the priority.
The public often isn’t aware of many police-related deaths due to weak public information laws and inconsistencies with the information released. This hurts the marginalized communities bearing the brunt of non-lethal force. How can we hold police accountable if they aren't transparent about their actions?
If police can kill so freely using non-lethal tactics, who do they protect? One death is one too many. Police choose to operate by using deadly force. We need a world without violence disguised as peacekeeping instead.