Law enforcement and policing have played a complex and often contentious role in Black history in the United States. From the early days of slavery when slave patrols were established to control and suppress enslaved populations to the civil rights era when police brutality and discrimination were rampant, the relationship between the Black community and law enforcement has been fraught with tension.

During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, police often used excessive force against peaceful protesters, such as the use of fire hoses and attack dogs against civil rights activists. One of the most notable instances of police violence during this time was the attack on peaceful marchers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on "Bloody Sunday" in 1965.

In more recent times, the Black Lives Matter movement has brought renewed attention to issues of police brutality and systemic racism in law enforcement. High-profile cases such as the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and many others have sparked widespread protests and calls for police reform and accountability.

Despite these challenges, there have also been instances of progress and positive change within law enforcement. Many Black police officers have worked to improve police-community relations and advocate for reform from within the system. Organizations like the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) have been at the forefront of efforts to promote diversity and equity in policing.

Overall, the history of police in Black history is complex and multifaceted, reflecting the broader issues of race, power, and justice in American society.