Police brutality is the use of excessive or unjustified lethal force by police officers or other law enforcement officers against criminals. The actual definition of what constitutes police brutality, or to what level constitutes lethal force against an assailant by officers, has been under constant dispute and debate.
Police brutality is a subject notably utilized (and abused) by racists such as Rev. Al Sharpton and the Black Panthers, who have continued to take advantage of shootings, such as the 2014 case of Michael Brown, in order to worsen racial tensions throughout the country, including the organizing of violent protests and riots.
An officer can be charged with police brutality for the most ridiculous reasons, such as improper transport to jail and a canine bite.