Use of force and authority by police to some groups can be - or be perceived to be - disproportionate. Differences in race, religion, politics, and socioeconomic status between police and the citizenry can contribute to the creation of a relationship in which a significant number of police officers view the population (or a particular subset thereof) as generally deserving punishment while these portions of the population view the police as oppressors.

Police are employed by society to maintain order but by dealing largely with disorderly elements of the society, people working in police often gradually develop an attitude or sense of authority over society. The growing number of cases of police brutality is usually attributed not to increased awareness within police ranks, but merely to more widespread use of video cameras.