When is the use of excessive force considered police brutality?

• A. When there is any use of force
• B. When there is a significant disparity between the level of compliance and the level of force used
• C. Only during violent resistance
• D. Only when force results in injury

Answer: (B)

This question tests how to distinguish excessive force from permissible police force by looking at proportionality to the situation. Police brutality occurs when the amount of force used is more than what is reasonably necessary given the subject’s level of compliance or threat. A significant mismatch between low resistance or compliance and heavy force signals that the force is disproportionate and thus excessive. That’s why the best answer highlights a clear disparity between how much the person was resisting and how much force was used.

Other options don’t fit because: using some force isn’t automatically brutality if it’s reasonable for the situation; brutality isn’t limited to moments of violent resistance—excessive force can occur even with nonviolent or nonresistant subjects; and injury isn’t required for force to be excessive—unnecessary or disproportionate force can occur without causing injury.