What is the risk of homicide in police work, and how does that risk compare to the national risk of homicide in the workplace?
A 1999 BLS study found that in the years 1992-97 45% of police fatalities resulted from homicides, with 6% from other assault/violence. The study also found that almost as many fatalities were cause by transportation incidents. In total, the risk of homicide was less than the risk of fatality from some other cause. A police fatality from transportation incident or fall was as likely as a homicide.
Source:Fatalities to Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters, 1992-97 (PDF), US Bureau of Labor Statistics
