3 ms·

I understand what you say, but a tiny Alabama town is just… a tiny Alabama town. I totally get that things change from state to state, that some states are hug

• ars 5y ago
  For the most part each "grouping" is left to govern itself, but the state will step in if they feel there is abuse. I remember reading basically the same story as this one: Police abusing their power to pull people over in a nearby interstate, and the state came in and completely disbanded the police force. Different laws are set at different levels, and historically policing was always at the city level. Also building codes are often at the city level. Voting is typically at the county level (which is a group of cities, or one very large city). Etc, etc. There are customs for most of these laws, and which level of entity is in charge of them. And the "higher" level entity can step in if necessary, but usually does not. Also typically a "sheriff" is a voted position, while police is appointed by the mayor. So ultimately they answer to the voters, either directly or through the mayor.