Police occupy a complex position in our society: They are a unique arm of the government entrusted with immense power to be used both for and against the people they are sworn to protect. Their salaries are paid by the people whom they are obligated to protect. Though this situation seems harmless enough, the people from whom the police are protecting the general population also pay their salaries. Additionally, the police force is the only institution within our society that has the authority to use force to control problems within this country. This fact escalates the position of police in society sketched here from complex to intensely problematic. The situation is complicated further by the fact that encounters with police may be the most visible interaction people have with the justice system.

This Article addresses a problem that arises from this particular position that police occupy-the everyday instances of misuse of force by police officers with a particular emphasis on the effects of this misuse on minority and poor communities. Before discussing this problem, however, the different forms of force must be defined so that the discussion that follows is properly focused. This is not an easy task.