The number of deadly police-involved shootings in the city is on the decline.

According to statistics released Tuesday by the New York City Police Department, there were 33 percent fewer people shot and killed in 2010 compared to the year prior.

During that same time period, the statistics show a 13 percent decline in the number of instances where officers even fired their weapons.

The police department began keeping the statistics back in 1971 when 93 people died of a police-inflicted gunshot wounds.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly says the improvement is due to police training and a reduction in crime.

The report comes just three days before the fifth anniversary of the Sean Bell shooting.

Bell died outside a Queens night club in a hail of 50 police bullets.

Police say they thought he was armed, though no gun was ever found.

All of the officers involved have been cleared of criminal charges.

(Source: NY1)