Georgia Bureau of Investigation authorities said the number of excessive force investigations involving officers in the state is up this year.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported that the GBI has investigated 82 cases of police use of force so far this fiscal year, which ends June 30. Investigators looked into 74 cases during the entire 2010 fiscal year.

GBI spokesman John Bankhead said most of the recent cases are related to officer-involved shootings and are determined to have been necessary to make an arrest.

He said the GBI has also arrested several officers in the past two months who were accused of aggressive behavior.

Bankhead said a possible reason for the increase in investigations could be that law enforcement agencies want to be above-board when it comes to public perception.

Tags: Georgia Bureau of Investigation, GBI, Chattanooga Times Free Press, excessive force investigations, police excessive force