Police brutality has been a long-standing issue in Black history, dating back to the era of slavery and continuing through the civil rights movement and into the present day. During slavery, slave patrols were established to monitor and control enslaved people, often using violence and brutality to maintain order.

In the Jim Crow era, police were frequently used to enforce segregation laws and suppress the civil rights movement. The use of excessive force, discriminatory practices, and violence against Black individuals became commonplace.

One of the most well-known incidents of police brutality in Black history is the beating of Rodney King in 1991 by Los Angeles police officers, which was caught on videotape and sparked nationwide outrage and protests. More recently, high-profile cases such as the killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless others have brought renewed attention to the issue of police brutality against Black people.

These incidents have led to widespread calls for police reform, accountability, and an end to systemic racism within law enforcement. The fight against police brutality in Black history is ongoing, and activists continue to push for meaningful changes to address this pervasive issue.