Today, the FBI is releasing the 2014 edition of its annual report Crime in the United States, a statistical compilation of offense, arrest, and police employee data reported voluntarily by law enforcement agencies that participate in the Bureau’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. This latest report reveals that the estimated number of violent crimes reported by law enforcement to UCR’s Summary Reporting System during 2014 decreased 0.2 percent when compared with 2013 data. And the estimated number of property crimes decreased 4.3 percent from 2013 levels.

Here are some highlights from Crime in the United States, 2014:

There were an estimated 1,165,383 violent crimes (murder and non-negligent homicides, rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults) reported by law enforcement.

Aggravated assaults accounted for 63.6 percent of the violent crimes reported, while robberies accounted for 28.0 percent, rape 7.2 percent, and murders 1.2 percent.

There were an estimated 8,277,829 property crimes (burglaries, larceny-thefts, and motor vehicle thefts) reported by law enforcement. Financial losses suffered by victims of these crimes were calculated at approximately $14.3 billion.

Larceny-theft accounted for 70.8 percent of all property crimes reported, burglary for 20.9 percent, and motor vehicle theft for 8.3 percent

Police made an estimated 11,205,833 arrests during 2014—498,666 for violent crimes, and 1,553,980 for property crimes. More than 73 percent of those arrested during 2014 were male.

The highest number of arrests was for drug abuse violations (1,561,231), followed by larceny-theft (1,238,190) and driving under the influence (1,117,852).



What’s new this year? For one, the 2014 publication includes the inaugural Federal Crime Data report, which contains traditional UCR data from a handful of federal agencies, as well as FBI arrest data on human trafficking, hate crimes, and criminal computer intrusions.

Also included for the first time in Crime in the United States is UCR’s second report of human trafficking data submitted by state and local law enforcement.

It is expected that law enforcement participation in data collection for both reports will expand over time, which will help provide a more complete picture of those crimes.

Message from the FBI Director. Included in the report is a message from Director James Comey, who said that UCR plans to begin collecting data about non-fatal shootings between law enforcement and civilians, and he encouraged all law enforcement agencies to submit their data about fatal shootings and justifiable homicide data, which is currently collected. Once the FBI begins collecting the expanded data, UCR plans to add a special publication that will focus on law enforcement’s use of force in shooting incidents. That report will outline facts about what happened, who was involved, whether there were injuries or deaths, and the circumstances surrounding the incidents.

Explains Comey, “We hope this information will become part of a balanced dialogue in communities and in the media—a dialogue that will help to dispel misperceptions, foster accountability, and promote transparency in how law enforcement personnel relate to the communities they serve.”

In his message, Comey also encourages law enforcement agencies to participate in UCR’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), created to improve the quantity and quality of crime data collected by law enforcement by capturing more detailed information on each single crime occurrence.

Recently, the International Association of Chiefs of Police—with the Major Cities Chiefs Association, National Sheriffs’ Association, and the Major County Sheriffs’ Association—released a joint position paper supporting the adoption of the NIBRS to replace the Summary Reporting System. The group says that the NIBRS “provides a more comprehensive view of crime in the United States and offers greater flexibility in data compilation and analysis.”

Looking ahead. Beginning in January 2016, data collection will begin for the newest UCR Program initiative—animal cruelty offenses—requested by the National Sheriffs’ Association and the Animal Welfare Institute.

Resources:

- Crime in the United States, 2014

- Press release

- More on the UCR Program

- Related FBI, This Week podcast

