4 ms·

Cities and counties can address this on their own, without waiting for the statehouse or Washington. The nonprofit I work for has a model policy and research th

• staplers 3y ago
  Most law enforcement is "above" local jurisdiction practically speaking. Police are local militias with a near-military supply of weapons, technology, and surveillance. Cities often seek judgement or ways to control law enforcement but police unions and silent strikes render their attempts futile. If your city had George Floyd protests, you're likely aware of these silent strikes. The police simply stop doing their job and allow crime and lawlessness. Without the threat of a national military coming down on them, local LE behaves like a mafia.
  • gwbrooks 3y ago
    It's a political problem rather than a legal-powers problem; most mayors and city council members are (rightly) afraid of the local police union publicly calling them out. That's why, even at the local level, forfeiture reform usually needs to be bundled with other, more broadly popular policing reforms. There isn't a critical mass of people lit up over asset forfeiture in most communities. Other attack vectors include: * Qualified immunity reform packaged as a way to more easily get rid of bad cops. * Collective bargaining transparency so the public (and even the city council) can see what tactics the union is using in contract negotiations.