zlacker

The DOJ is part of the executive branch and is instrumental in setting national standards and investigating police departments. FBI as well. The executive branch has a fair amount of sway in how policing is done in the US and largely can help set direction, set policies, investigate departments and "clean house".

for example: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-...

Who is President is very much matters. You clearly see this in the Reagan/Bush/Clinton years, where mass incarceration was in vogue, at the direction of the Attorney General (William Barr), who is part of the executive branch, leading the charge.

>>jorblu+(OP)
Really? It is my understanding that in Minnesota the governor did not even have control over the local policing, that was left to local leadership (mayor + police chief). He only took over control today, which was a very rare move. So I am not following how the president has much authority over local police activities. That is why Trump is referencing the National Guard and not an actual police force.

>>nights+S1
What do you mean by "He only took over control today" ? From what I saw in this article it doesn't say anything about the Governor taking over local police departments; perhaps you're referring to the national guard?

>>nights+S1
I don't think I'm implying the president has direct control over local authorities. I'm simply saying that policing in the US is complex and saying "it doesn't matter who you elect" clearly isn't true. The executive branch has huge soft power over how policing is done in the US. For example, the rise of militarized police is largely due to donated spare Iraq war equipment. The executive branch chose to donate this.

>>Simula+J4
In his press briefing today he talked directly about it and how he made the decision to take direct control of the situation when the 3rd precinct building was abandoned yesterday as he found that unacceptable.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs4VjEsigiU

>>jorblu+Ka
> For example, the rise of militarized police is largely due to donated spare Iraq war equipment.

I think there's a lot more to it than that. There's also the matter of a lot of war vets becoming police officers, the approach to policing they learned in the military, and their lasting effect on police department culture.