Bakersfield Police Report 17% Drop in Use-of-Force Incidents in 2025, but Challenges Remain

BPD use-of-force incidents continue downward trend

Use of force incidents by the Bakersfield Police Department continued a downward trend last year, in line with a broader national decrease in crime since statistics spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bakersfield police report 17% drop in use-of-force incidents in 2025, but challenges remain

The Bakersfield Police Department reported a 17% decrease in use-of-force incidents in 2025, marking the lowest total in five years, according to its latest annual review.The department recorded 457 use-of-force incidents in 2025, down from 551 in 2024. Over a five-year period, the numbers have fluctuated, but the latest report shows a continued downward trend following a smaller decline the year prior.Only three incidents involved deadly force …