Sentence:  The police, fully aware of the reality of plea bargaining, often <WSD>overcharge</WSD> (if they don't, then the prosecutor does). The police also may <WSD>overcharge</WSD> in order to develop informants. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To charge (someone) with an inflated number or degree of legal charges (for example, charging them with a more serious crime than was committed); to upcharge.