Page:Law Enforcement Officers 1996.pdf/71

 by suspects of all other crimes). Twelve percent of all assaults occurred while the officers were handling, transporting, or maintaining custody of prisoners; 10 percent while investigating suspicious persons or circumstances; and 9 percent while making traffic pursuits or stops. The remainder of the assaults took place while the officers were performing various other duties.

Times

Types of Assignment

Clearances

During 1996, 4 of 5 law enforcement officers assaulted were on vehicle patrol at the time they were attacked. Fifty-six percent of all assault victims were assigned to 1-officer vehicles, while 25 percent were assigned to 2-officer vehicles. Six percent of those assaulted were on detective or special assignment, and 13 percent were performing other duties. Seventy-three percent of the victims were assisted at the scene of the incident by fellow officers.

Ninety-five percent of all reported assaults on law enforcement officers in 1996 were cleared by arrest or exceptional means. Assaults occurring during the circumstances attempting other arrests and handling, transporting, custody of prisoners were each most frequently cleared (96 percent). The circumstance with the lowest clearance rate, 77 percent, was ambush.

66

As in previous years, most assaults on law enforcement officers occurred during the evening and early morning duty shifts. Approximately two-thirds of all assaults took place during the hours of 6 p.m. and 4 a.m. The remaining one-third took place between 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.