Keep Them Local & Independent

One of the hallmarks of a free society is local law enforcement. The 1828 Webster Dictionary defines a police officer as "an officer entrusted with the execution of the laws of a city." This clearly indicates the officer is responsible to the city. Today's sheriffs are accountable to the local voters who elected them, and police chiefs are accountable to those locally elected officials who appointed the chiefs.

When law enforcement agencies become entangled with the federal government (through grants, funding or other programs), this accountability shifts.