Based on state and local law enforcement reports to the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, there were 4,813 arrest-related deaths in the U.S. from 2003 to 2009. By comparison, the FBI estimates nearly 98 million arrests in the U.S. during this time period.
Of the reported arrest-related deaths, 61% were homicides by law enforcement personnel, 11% were suicides, 11% were death by intoxication, 6% were accidents, 5% were death by natural causes, and 6% were undetermined or unreported. Agencies report deaths regardless of whether the person was in custody and include deaths where a person tried to avoid capture.
From 2003 to 2009, Connecticut law enforcement reported 31 deaths. The report cautions against comparing states due to variations in reporting practices.
