911 Calls Result in Tragic Police Shooting of 11-Year-Old Boy in Mississippi

Recent cases of police shooting or killing individuals who called 911 for help have raised questions about police hiring, training, policy, and accountability. Policing fatality data is poor, but a Washington Post database suggests police have fatally shot over 8,500 people since 2015, with Black Americans shot at a disproportionate rate. In each case, officers arrived on the scene and acted too quickly, highlighting the need for de-escalation techniques and better information gathering. Efforts are now focusing on training dispatchers and equipping officers to respond to mental health emergencies.