The Office of Homeland Security Statistics (OHSS) issues this annual data table describing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement use of force incidents. The file at the bottom of the page includes breakdowns of the number of DHS law enforcement use of force incidents, types of force used, and subject and officer injuries.
About This Report
OHSS produced this report independently in support of its mission to maximize DHS data quality and transparency. OHSS worked with DHS Component statistical officials and subject matter experts to validate the reporting methodologies supporting this report, and Component statistical officials reviewed data tables for accuracy.
Methodology
Data Source
Data represent all incidents that were recorded by DHS’ nine law enforcement agencies and offices in accordance with the 2023 Update to the Department Policy on Use of Force.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP),
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),
- U.S. Secret Service (USSS),
- U.S. Coast Guard (USCG),
- Transportation Security Agency (TSA) Federal Air Marshals,
- Federal Protective Service (FPS),
- Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers’ (FLETC) Office of Security and Professional Responsibility,
- Office of the Chief Security Officer (OCSO),
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Mount Weather Police Department
Date
Data are as of 8/30/2023. Statistical information is subject to change due to corrections, systems changes, changes in data definition, additional information, or incidents pending final review. This report will be updated on an annual basis.
Data Processing
Data formats are standardized across DHS’s nine law enforcement agencies and offices through the Law Enforcement Coordination Council Use of Force Reporting Working Group. Unique incident identifiers are used to trace data lineage back to source agency and office data.
Unit of Measure
The unit of measurement for this report is incidents except for Table 8 where the unit of measurement is uses of types of force. This report categorizes incidents into three types: officer(s) use of force against subject(s), subject(s) assault against officer(s), and maritime vessel disabling fire. If an incident falls into multiple categories– for example an officer(s) use of force against subject(s) and subject(s) assault against officer(s)–then the incident is counted in both categories.
