South Carolina had 48 officer-involved shootings in 2015

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Figures show South Carolina had 48 officer-involved shootings in 2015, the highest number since the State Law Enforcement Division began keeping track in 1999.

The State newspaper in Columbia reports that in 26 of the 48 instances, suspects pulled guns on officers. SLED numbers show that’s up almost 45 percent from 18 instances in 2014.

SLED numbers show 44 officer-involved shootings occurred in 2012 and 2006.

Fourteen officers and 14 suspects were injured during last year’s 48 officer-involved shootings. One officer and 19 suspects were killed.

Criminology professor Geoffrey Alpert of the University of South Carolina warns that it’s hard to say what the numbers mean without a detailed context for each shooting. And SLED Chief Mark Keel says officers need more training to de-escalate situations.