Police unions

46 states including New York elect their district attorneys and thus the mayor or the governor cannot fire them. They can be removed from office in some states by actions in the legislature otherwise they must be impeached. The Manhattan district attorney who is soft on crime cannot be deterred by the new mayor. The situation was resolved today when the DA reversed his position on crime but it shows the power these DA's hold. In many cities the police are unionized and use their power to help elect the DA who in return is hesitant to prosecute police officers accused of criminal activity. While private unions can help working people with safe working conditions and decent benefits the power of public unions can too easily be misused. Witness the recent problems with the teachers union.