In many American jurisdictions sheriffs, prosecutors, mayors, town councils, and even judges are elected. In that case essentially all of the leadership with which a police union might be negotiating is elected.<p>So yes, a police officer&#x27;s <i>direct</i> boss wouldn&#x27;t be elected, but in terms of negotiation both a police captain and the rank and file would be aligned in wanting higher pay, making it harder to be fired, etc. In small jurisdictions there would be few layers between a sheriff&#x27;s deputy and the actual elected sheriff.<p>Also, some of the leadership has a conflict of interest. The prosecutor, one of the ultimate police bosses, cannot work against the police interests without also jeopardizing his own career as the police can stop working with him and get him voted out. This is one of the many reasons why prosecutors tend to treat police brutality cases very differently than if the suspect were an ordinary citizen. Likewise a sheriff might face similar issues since he is elected but his staff is not.<p>Unlike a private sector union, a public sector union can essentially never bankrupt the government, so there is no natural check against their power. Bankrupt your company with absurd work rules? You&#x27;ll be on the street eventually.