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Numbers show increase in assaults against San Diego police officers in recent years

Posted at 2:39 PM, Jul 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-03 13:03:33-04

Data obtained by Team 10 shows it is becoming more dangerous on the streets for San Diego police officers.

Numbers from the San Diego Police Department show between January 2013 and July 2015, the numbers of assaults on officers increased.

According to the numbers, there were 252 assaults in 2013 and 319 in 2014.

From January 2015 to July 2015, there were 254 reported assaults on officers -- that’s more than all of 2013.

Team 10 asked SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman about the increase in assaults on officers, and she said the statistic is going in a direction they don't want.

The chief opened up about attacks on officers, saying, "We have seen this happen way too many times just in the last few weeks across our great country."

The state also keeps track of officer deaths, with numbers dating back 25 years.

According to their numbers, in California, 10 officers are killed a year on average.

More than half of the deaths each year are a direct result of a criminal act.

Meanwhile, a report released Friday by the Department of Justice analyzes 684 cases involving line-of-duty deaths over a five-year period (from 2010-2014).

The purpose of the report was to identify situations that present officers the most risk and to make recommendations to enhance officer safety.

"As President Obama has repeatedly stated, 'officers deserve to go home at the end of their shifts,'" said COPS Office Director Ronald Davis. "This invaluable report is designed to help us understand the risk that law enforcement officers face and to help us develop best practices to reduce officer fatalities."

READ THE REPORT (pdf)