The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported a notable decrease in officer-involved shootings in 2024, a statistic that has been quickly overshadowed by a significant and concerning uptick in lethal force incidents in the current year, 2025. While the department celebrated a reduction to 29 individuals shot by officers last year, down from 34 in 2023, data indicates that LAPD officers have already opened fire at least 31 times in less than nine months of 2025, surpassing the entire previous year’s total. This trend is raising alarm bells among city officials and community advocates, highlighting a complex challenge for law enforcement in Los Angeles.
2024: A Brief Respite in Shootings
Last year, the LAPD’s efforts to curb serious uses of force appeared to be yielding results. According to departmental reports, officers discharged their firearms at 29 individuals in 2024, marking a decrease from the 34 incidents recorded in 2023. This reduction was seen by some as a positive indicator, potentially reflecting the impact of the department’s strategies aimed at de-escalation and reducing officer-involved shootings. National data also showed a general decline in violent crime across U.S. cities in 2024, a trend that seemed to align with the LAPD’s reported progress.
The Troubling 2025 Trend Emerges
However, the promising trajectory of 2024 has sharply reversed in the current year. By mid-year 2025, the number of individuals shot by LAPD officers had already surpassed the previous year’s total. Reports from July indicate officers had fired 25 times, and by late August, this number rose to 30, with a total of at least 31 incidents confirmed by early September. This dramatic increase, occurring even as overall violent crime rates in Los Angeles continue to decline, has placed LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell and the department under increased scrutiny. The situation has been characterized as a “troubling trend” by officials.
Mental Health Crisis at the Forefront of Concerns
A significant and persistent factor contributing to these encounters is the presence of individuals experiencing mental health crises. Data suggests that a substantial portion of shootings involve people perceived by officers to be in such a state. Between 2017 and 2023, 31% of individuals shot by LAPD officers were perceived to be dealing with mental illness or a mental health crisis. In 2023 alone, 38% of those shot at were experiencing homelessness, a demographic often facing mental health challenges.
New Police Commission President Teresa Sánchez-Gordon has voiced particular concern, questioning why officers sometimes resort to lethal force in encounters with individuals exhibiting signs of mental illness, rather than prioritizing less-lethal alternatives. “Why can we not increase that… use of that less-lethal means?” Sánchez-Gordon asked, emphasizing the need for improved strategies in these sensitive situations. Incidents involving replica weapons or toy guns, which can be indistinguishable from real firearms in high-stress moments, also contribute to these alarming statistics.
Officer Perspectives and Operational Challenges
Chief McDonnell has attributed the surge in shootings to the inherent speed and unpredictability of many encounters. He explained that officers often have very little time to assess threats and consider alternative tools when responding to volatile 911 calls. McDonnell also noted an “uptick in the willingness of criminals within the community to assault officers head-on”, suggesting officers are increasingly facing direct confrontations with armed individuals. While internal reviews have indicated a rise in the use of intermediate force weapons, such as Tasers and beanbag rounds, suggesting an effort to de-escalate, the effectiveness and timely deployment of these tools in critical moments remain a subject of debate.
Divergent Crime Trends in Los Angeles
The rise in officer-involved shootings stands in stark contrast to the broader crime statistics for Los Angeles. Homicides have seen a significant decrease, dropping by approximately 14% in 2024 compared to the previous year, and this downward trend has continued into 2025, with reported homicides down nearly 28% year-to-date. Other violent crimes, such as aggravated assaults, have also declined. This divergence—falling overall crime rates alongside increasing police shootings—presents a complex narrative for the city and its law enforcement agency. This news comes as the LAPD faces ongoing challenges in maintaining public trust, particularly following incidents where tactics have been criticized, and discussions about use of force and community relations remain central to public discourse.
Conclusion: A Critical Juncture for the LAPD
The LAPD’s report highlighting a 2024 dip in shootings is now overshadowed by the grim reality of the current year’s escalating numbers. As the department grapples with rapid encounters, the challenges posed by mental health crises, and an increasing perception of suspect aggression, the rise in lethal force incidents demands urgent attention. With overall crime trends in Los Angeles showing improvement, the uptick in officer-involved shootings represents a critical juncture for the LAPD, requiring a comprehensive re-evaluation of de-escalation strategies and the effective use of less-lethal alternatives to ensure public safety and rebuild community confidence.
