Police brutality is an act that often goes unnoticed by the vast majority of white Americans. It involves the intentional use of “excessive force by an authority figure, often ending in bruising, broken bones, bloodshed, and sometimes even death” (Harmon). While law-abiding citizens worry about protecting themselves from criminals, it now turns out that they must also keep an eye on those who are supposed to protect and serve. According to the National Police Academy, over the past year, more than 7,000 reports of police misconduct; deaths have been linked to more than 400 of these cases (Gul). Police brutality is often triggered by a lack of respect for the police officer. The most visible form of brutality is physical, where chemical gases, batons, Tasers and firearms can be used for physical intimidation or to harm people. Police brutality can also take the form of verbal abuse or psychological intimidation. It seems reasonable to understand that police sometimes find themselves in situations where excessive force may be necessary. But because some police officers resort to these extreme actions in situations where this is not the case, police brutality should be addressed and examined by both police and the public. For example, a police officer who beats a nonviolent protester with a baton would likely be charged with excessive use of force, on the grounds that he probably could have handled the situation with less violence. In fact, according to other retired police officers. Zakir Gul, Hakan Hekim and Ramazan Terkesil, many complaints about excessive use of force by police officers are not investigated, and if they are, the conclusion is usually that the officer acted in an improper manner. appropriate...... middle of paper . .....well, they handle every situation without crossing the line” (Chaney). It is very important that police academies recruit competent and qualified officers; and provide broad, ongoing training, with good supervision to help reduce excessive use of force by law enforcement officers. Works Cited Chaney, Cassandra and Ray Robertson. “Racism and Police Brutality in America.” Journal of African American Studies 17.4 (2013): 480-505. Premier Academic Research. Internet. March 15, 2014. Gul, Zakir, Hakan Hekim and Ramazan Terkesil. “Controlling (excessive) police force: the American case. » International Review of Human Sciences 10.2 (2013): 285-303. Premier Academic Research. Internet. March 12, 2014. Harmon, Rachel A. “When is Police Violence Justified?” Northwestern University Law Review 102.3 (2008): 1119-1187. Premier Academic Research. Internet. March 13. 2014.