Ten police officers have been fatally shot this year, including two who were killed in St. Petersburg, Fla., Monday. Through this point last year, six officers had been fatally shot, according to the newspaper. And the trend isn't new. Last year, police deaths were up 40 percent compared to 2009, and killings by gunfire were up 20 percent.
The Justice Department review will try to determine whether a lack of training, resources or some other issue, has contributed to the increase in officer killings. Observers also speculate that the deaths may be related to offenders' access to high-caliber weapons and their increasing willingness to target police. They also believe officers' inconsistent use of body armor may need to be addressed, according to the article.
