US Sheriffs

[Lucy Hamilton]

What is the difference in America between US Sheriffs and the regular Police forces? Do the US Sheriffs have different rules they can operate under or is it the same law that the Police forces operate under?

 

[Mikeoxenormous]

What is the difference in America between US Sheriffs and the regular Police forces? Do the US Sheriffs have different rules they can operate under or is it the same law that the Police forces operate under?

Sheriffs are elected by their county citizens, while a chief of police is appointed by a mayor of a city. Sheriffs can be held accountable, chief of police only to the mayor..

 

[konradv]

What is the difference in America between US Sheriffs and the regular Police forces? Do the US Sheriffs have different rules they can operate under or is it the same law that the Police forces operate under?

Where I live the sheriff's department is responsible for the courts. They provide security at the courthouse, serve bench warrants, take defendants back and forth between the court and jail and probably more that I'm not aware of.

 

[Canon Shooter]

Generally speaking, Sheriff's do not normally operate within the city limits. Most cities have police departments, whereas most unincorporated areas do not.

Here in northeast Florida, we have the St. Augustine Police Department and the St. John's County Sheriff's Department. The sheriff's handle everything outside the city limits, as well as operate the jails, courts, etc.

There are exceptions, of course...

 

[Rambunctious]

What is the difference in America between US Sheriffs and the regular Police forces? Do the US Sheriffs have different rules they can operate under or is it the same law that the Police forces operate under?

Sheriffs are generally elected which makes them the top cops in any county and or state....they can block federal law enforcers from doing anything in their county....they can also over ride local cops and city mayors...too bad many of them don't.....