Sheriffs and police officers have different functions but both aim to promote public safety. The term “sheriff” comes from “shire reeve” in Old English, while police officers enforce local laws. Sheriffs work in a county or state and are elected officials, while police officers have limited jurisdiction within a city or town. Both undergo similar training and may cooperate with other law enforcement agencies.
In the United States, sheriffs and police officers perform very different functions, although both are considered law enforcement agencies and the two organizations may cooperate. The goal of both is to promote public safety and the welfare of the state, through education, regular patrols and crime investigations. The precise differences between a sheriff and a police officer vary slightly from state to state, which can be confusing.
The word “sheriff” comes from the Old English concept of “shire reeve”, a man who looked after the king’s interests in a county, or district, of England. The shire reeve may have found himself at times in opposition to the local community, as the position concerned the sovereignty and interests of the state. Since at least the 1600s in America, the term “sheriff” has been used to refer to a law enforcement officer.
The police were born in the 1700s to enforce the law or “policy”. Of course, local law enforcement agencies that have been dealing with the community have been around for much longer. But in the late 1600s and early 1700s men began to emerge who worked on the “joke” to enforce local laws and they began to be known as constables. One of the first truly organized police forces was the Metropolitan Police in London, after which many regional police forces were modeled.
Police officers have limited local jurisdiction, usually within the confines of a city or town. Within their jurisdiction, the police work for public safety, citing and arresting people where appropriate. The police also perform a number of public services including safety education and safety within the city limits. In a large city, the police department may have an assortment of personnel who specialize in departments such as bomb squad or riot police.
A sheriff, on the other hand, enforces the law in a county or state. In the United States, the sheriff is an elected official and swears by a number of deputies who have similar powers. Sheriffs patrol outside city limits, although they may enter police jurisdiction as part of their job. In a city without a police department, civic leaders can request that a sheriff patrol and act as a policeman within the city limits.
In many cases, the sheriff’s office doubles as the coroner’s office. Deaths requiring investigation are sent to the coroner. The sheriff also works with an assortment of law enforcement agencies such as local police, highway patrol, and forest or park rangers.
The process of becoming a sheriff is very similar to that of training to be a policeman. In both cases, candidates must take a written exam to qualify. They also undergo a physical exam and a background check. If the candidate passes, they are interviewed and if the interview goes well, the candidate is sent to a training academy. At the academy, the cadet will participate in an academic program designed to prepare him for active duty.
Additionally, the sheriff or police trainee will learn to handle firearms, drive a law enforcement vehicle, and perform other necessary duties. Upon graduation, the candidate is accepted into the department where they were interviewed. A candidate may also attend an academy and then apply to a department, although this tends to be rarer.
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