Sullivan's Law

Sullivan's Law states that the organization of police forces tends to mirror the social and political structure of the community they serve. In other words, police departments reflect the values, power dynamics, and inequalities present in society. For example, in communities with strict hierarchies or inequalities, police organizations often have similar rigid structures, whereas more egalitarian societies may have more community-involved policing. The law highlights how the size, practices, and attitudes of law enforcement are shaped by broader societal factors, rather than existing independently.