Police in liberal and conservative society – a comparative analysis of the United States

This article examines the functioning of law enforcement in the United States through the lens of ideology differences and the structural conditions of federalism . The starting point is a comparison between the American policing model— decentralized , multilayered , and heavily influenced by local politics —and more uniform European systems , where centralized oversight and control mechanisms predominate . The study discusses key areas of reform pursued after 2020, including actions taken by the Department of Justice regarding the use of force and pattern or practice investigations . Using the examples of the Kansas City gun experiment and the reforms implemented in Los Angeles under the Consent Decree , the article illustrates how local contexts shape the implementation and effectiveness of public safety policies . It also incorporates findings from public opinion research conducted between 2020 and 2021, which highlight persistent political and racial divides in attitudes toward the police. The analysis demonstrates that no single dominant model of policing exists in the United States ; instead , policing practices are shaped by a combination of institutional , ideological , and demographic factors .