As protests against police brutality have unfolded across the country, calls to defund or abolish police departments are picking up traction among activists and even sparked a pledge by the Minneapolis City Council to "dismantle" the police force there.

Separate from police funding, the campaign says Biden wants to ramp up funding for public schools, summer programs and mental health and substance abuse treatment "so that officers can focus on the job of policing."

On Sunday, a majority of the Minneapolis City Council voted to support disbanding the city's police department and building a new public safety system.

In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio said he would trim the city's $6 billion police budget and divert funds to social services, but he didn't say by how much.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said he would cut the city's police budget by as much as $150 million to help fund youth jobs programs and health programs, among other initiatives.