What defines "police brutality"?

"Police brutality" is defined as the use of excessive force by law enforcement. This phenomenon can involve various forms of physical aggression, such as beatings or the inappropriate use of weapons, which go beyond what is necessary for law enforcement to achieve their objectives. The critical component of this definition is the concept of "excessive force," which implies an abuse of power and a violation of individuals' rights.

Standard procedures followed by police officers are meant to ensure accountability and appropriate responses to situations, and thus do not align with the definition of police brutality. Protests against police actions may arise in response to incidents of brutality but are not defining characteristics of the term itself. Inadequate police training programs can contribute to incidents of police brutality but are not a defining attribute of it. The essence of police brutality lies in the disproportionate response to a situation, which is articulated clearly in the understanding of excessive force.