When does excessive police force start to count as brutality? An issue that began almost as soon as police force was created, unfairness in the treatment during arrests has started to resurface itself once again. The question is – how do you define police brutality, and why hasn’t anyone done anything to stop it?

Police, by law, can use any amount of force they see reasonable and necessary to stop a crime. Sometimes however, it seems as though they can be a little excessive. The officers shouldn’t have to continually punch someone into the concrete, let alone push them to the ground when it’s not needed.

The subject of police brutality seemed to resurface in the 90’s in Los Angeles, California when several white police officers were videotaped beating Rodney King, an African-American man after a car chase. Months later, they were acquitted from the crimes. This caused the largest riots the United States had seen since the 1960’s, in which thousands were arrested and injured. Looting, arson and civil disturbance began to become common and the “1992 La Riots” had to eventually be stopped by the California Army National Guard.

The issue was addressed with the increase of minority officers in the departments and the adjustment of training in an attempt to stop excessive police force. Even though the officers have since been specially trained, the dilemma didn’t stop units across the nation.

Just two years ago, George Zimmerman, a man appointed on neighborhood watch, shot and killed 17 year old Trayvon Martin, an unarmed African-American boy. The trial brought up issues surrounding race and police brutality once again in America. The discrimination of people of color by the police and other community leaders needed to stop. But it didn’t.

Atleast 1 in 3 black men can expect to go to prison once in their lifetime. The numbers are 1 in 6 for Latinos and only 1 in 17 for whites.

Just weeks ago9, on August 9, 2014, unarmed black teen Michael Brown of Ferguson, Missouri was killed by police officers. The incident sparked a series of protests and the national debate against police brutality which questions: “How much force is too much?”

Police brutality needs to be defined in law in order to stop discrimination and unnecessary force. Because force is all based on perspective, it’s tough to define. It seems a little trivial, but I think officers should take up more training so they know exactly when it’s appropriate to arrest, use force upon, or shoot someone — when absolutely necessary.

Up until this point, there are no laws indicating that an officer would have to serve time for unjust force, or even be removed from his position in the unit. But if lawmakers don’t consider doing something about the discrimination during arrests, the riots and protests will only continue.