Brazil recorded an average of 18 people killed per day in police interventions during the first half of 2026 [1].
These figures highlight a significant escalation in police lethality across the country. The data underscores a growing crisis of public security and human rights within the Brazilian law enforcement system.
According to the Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública, there were approximately 3,260 deaths from police interventions between January and June 2026 [1]. The Ministry said it tracked these fatalities through its statistical panel on police lethality [1].
The deaths were distributed across the nation, though certain regions saw higher concentrations of violence. The state of Bahia registered the highest number of police-related deaths, followed by São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Paraná [1].
This current trend shows a sharp increase compared to data from the previous year. In 2025, police interventions in nine states resulted in 4,330 deaths [2]. During that period, the average number of daily deaths was more than eight [2].
Demographic data from 2025 also indicates a disproportionate impact on specific populations. That year, Black victims accounted for 71.7% of police lethality [2].
“Brazil recorded an average of 18 people killed per day in police interventions during the first half of 2026.”
The jump from an average of eight daily deaths in 2025 to 18 in the first half of 2026 suggests a rapid intensification of lethal force in Brazilian policing. When coupled with 2025 data showing that over 70% of victims were Black, the statistics point to systemic issues regarding racial profiling and the use of force in high-conflict states like Bahia and São Paulo.
