National Guard vs Police - How Do They Compare and What's the Difference?

The National Guard and local law enforcement, while both crucial for maintaining order and security, differ significantly in their jurisdiction, training, deployment triggers, and roles, with the National Guard acting as a reserve military force for emergencies, disasters, and overseas missions, and local police handling daily municipal and county law enforcement.

• Police handle daily local law enforcement, while the National Guard is a reserve military force for large-scale emergencies and overseas missions.

• The National Guard can be deployed by state governors or federalized by the President for disaster relief, civil unrest, and national security threats.

• While distinct, the lines between police and National Guard responsibilities are evolving, impacting domestic security and international relations.

Local law enforcement agencies, like police and sheriff's deputies, operate at a municipal, county, or state level, providing constant presence and responding to daily crime and emergencies. The National Guard, a branch of the U.S. military but a reserve force, is typically deployed for large-scale events such as natural disasters, civil unrest, or cybersecurity threats, and also serves in overseas military operations, representing a distinct but increasingly integrated layer of security.

Local Law Enforcement

• 00:00:32 Policing in the U.S. is primarily local, handled by nearly 18,000 agencies and over 600,000 sworn officers, with federal agencies like the FBI handling inter-state issues. Beat cops patrol specific neighborhoods, respond to emergencies, and work under detectives who gather evidence for prosecution. Sheriff's deputies serve counties and are elected officials, providing more public accountability, while specialized forces like tribal police, university police, and highway patrol address specific jurisdictions.

Understanding the National Guard

• 00:02:59 The National Guard, established in 1636 as the English Colonial Militia and formally ratified by the Militia Act of 1903, is a branch of the U.S. military but operates as a reserve force, meaning its members typically hold civilian occupations. They commit to one weekend of training per month and a few weeks of service per year, needing to pass stringent background, mental, and physical tests to join. The Guard comprises both Army and Air National Guard divisions and provides significant combat power to the U.S. Army and Air Force.

National Guard Deployments

• 00:04:33 The National Guard is a versatile force, deployable both inside the U.S. and overseas. Domestically, they operate under state governors, but can be federalized by the President under special circumstances, such as invasion, rebellion, or when regular forces cannot execute U.S. laws, as outlined by the Insurrection Act of 1807 and Title X of the United States Code. Their domestic roles include disaster relief, border security, maintaining order during civil unrest, and ensuring election security, often in collaboration with local law enforcement, as seen during Hurricane Katrina and the COVID-19 pandemic elections.

Guard's Evolving Role & Controversies

• 00:07:10 Internationally, the National Guard serves under active-duty commanders in various combat and humanitarian missions, having participated in every U.S. conflict since the Revolutionary War. They also play a critical role in geopolitical relationships through the State Partnership Program, allying with 115 countries globally. However, their increasing involvement, particularly in intelligence, raises concerns, exemplified by the 2023 leak of classified documents by an Air Guard member, highlighting the debate over civilian access to sensitive national security information as their domestic and international roles continue to expand.