Exploring Modern Data Accessibility Surrounding Police-Involved Killings of Black Citizens

Authors

Chloe Robinson, Indiana University South BendFollow
Jenna L. Borseth, University of South DakotaFollow

Abstract

The need for greater data transparency regarding police-involved killings has been a recurring issue raised by scholars in the field. With limited means of using official policing data, research in the area of police-involved fatalities and other critical policing issues has relied on alternative data sources. While the government has historically failed to instill a mechanism for systematically collecting this information, the development of the Use-of-Force Data Collection in 2019 was an initial step in improving data transparency. The current study seeks to reassess the accessibility and utility of various data sources following the publication of the Use-of-Force Data Collection. To do so, the study examines and compares three types of data sources: official governmental data, newspaper data, and open-source data initiatives. Specifically, the current project provides a case study of information on officer-involved killings of black citizens across various platforms. Overall, the study concludes that recent efforts continue to fall short of data transparency needs in the field. Policy implications are also discussed.

Recommended Citation

Robinson, C., & Borseth, J. L. (2025). Exploring Modern Data Accessibility Surrounding Police-Involved Killings of Black Citizens. The Guardianship Journal, 1(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.7771/3066-8468.1004