ROLE OF THE SHERIFF (FROM FUTURE OF POLICING, 1978, BY ALVIN W COHN - SEE NCJ-51338)

• NCJ Number: 51346
• Author(s): L P BROWN
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 23 pages
• Corporate Author: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

LITERATURE IS REVIEWED TO ESTABLISH THE ROLE OF THE SHERIFF THROUGHOUT HISTORY, AND THE MODERN FUNCTION OF THE SHERIFF IS DISCUSSED. IMPROVEMENTS ARE SUGGESTED FOR SHERIFF FUNCTIONING IN THE FUTURE.

Abstract

THE OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF ORIGINATED IN ANGLO-SAXON ENGLAND WHERE THE OFFICE HOLDER LATER BECAME THE KING'S OR NOBLEMAN'S OFFICER RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE PEACE AND FOR TAX COLLECTING. DURING COLONIAL TIMES IN AMERICA THE SHERIFF WAS RESPONSIBLE FIRST FOR PROTECTING THE SETTLERS, BUILDING STOCKADES, AND RELIEVING THE GARRISON COMMANDER OF ROUTINE DUTIES. LATER, THE SHERIFF WAS CHARGED WITH PROTECTING THE PEACE, MAKING ARRESTS, RAISING POSSES, AND COMMITTING MALEFACTORS TO PRISON. THE 3,000 SHERIFFS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES IN 1978 ARE GENERALLY THE CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OF THEIR COUNTIES AND TYPICALLY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COUNTIES' UNINCORPORATED AREAS. THE SHERIFF IS ELECTED, AND IN SOME AREAS CANDIDATES NEED ONLY BE 21 YEARS OLD AND A REGISTERED VOTER. OTHER AREAS REQUIRE POLICE TRAINING AND SEVERAL YEARS EXPERIENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT OR SOME KIND OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION. SHERIFF OFFICES TAKE SEVERAL FORMS: THE FULL-SERVICE MODEL, PROVIDING UNIFORMED PATROL, COURT ATTENDANCE, AND CORRECTIONS SERVICES; THE LAW ENFORCEMENT MODEL, PROVIDING POLICE SERVICES TO UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF A COUNTY; THE CIVIL-JUDICIAL MODEL, WHICH REQUIRES COURT ATTENDANCE BUT GIVES SHERIFFS NO LAW ENFORCEMENT OR CORRECTIONS RESPONSIBILITIES; AND THE CORRECTIONS-JUDICIAL MODEL, IN WHICH SHERIFFS HAVE NO LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES, BUT SERVE THE COURT AND RUN A CORRECTIONS FACILITY. THE FUNCTION OF THE SHERIFF REQUIRES A NUMBER OF SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE INHERENT PROBLEMS. THESE IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE NEEDED IN SUCH AREAS AS THE SELECTION PROCESS, STANDARDS REQUIRED FOR HOLDING OFFICE, REGULATIONS REGARDING TENURE, MINORITY REPRESENTATION, AND CONTRACT POLICE SERVICES. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--DAG)