NCJ Number
50840
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 311-317
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THIS PRELIMINARY REPORT FROM AN ONGOING STUDY BEING CONDUCTED IN 13 STATES EXAMINES THE SOUTHERN COUNTY SHERIFF AS A UNIQUE AMALGAM OF PROFESSIONAL LAW OFFICER AND POLITICIAN. THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES ARE NOTED.
Abstract
THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HAS RECEIVED A DISTORTED VIEW OF THE OFFICE OF COUNTY SHERIFF IN THE SOUTH FROM PRESS COVERAGE OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS DEMONSTRATIONS, JOKES ABOUT BUMBLING SHERIFFS, AND CALLS FOR REFORM BY PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SPECIALISTS. HOWEVER, THE STRENGTHS OF THE OFFICE WHICH SUIT IT TO THE RURAL NATURE OF THE SOUTH ARE MANY. THE COMPLEXITY OF THE SHERIFF'S JOB IS EXAMINED. THEN TABLES AND NARRATIVE PRESENT THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF 198 SHERIFFS LOCATED IN FLORIDA, GEORGIA, ALABAMA, MISSISSIPPI, AND SOUTH CAROLINA. THE SURVEY FINDS THAT, AS A GROUP, SHERIFFS ARE MIDDLE-AGED (AVERAGE AGE 47) WHITE MALES. OLDER ONES HAVE LESS EDUCATION, WHILE YOUNGER SHERIFFS ARE OFTEN COLLEGE EDUCATED. ABOUT 80 PERCENT REPORT PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE (AVERAGE 9.4 YEARS EXPERIENCE, GENERALLY AS A PATROLMAN, DETECTIVE, OR SUPERVISOR). OVER 80 PERCENT REPORT FORMAL INSERVICE POLICE TRAINING; 46.2 PERCENT, MILITARY POLICE TRAINING. THE PROBLEMS OF SMALL DEPARTMENT SIZE ARE DISCUSSED (52.3 PERCENT HAVE 9 OR FEWER DEPUTIES), AS ARE THE PROBLEMS OF SMALL DETENTION FACILITIES. THE SHERIFFS THEMSELVES SEE THEIR DEPARTMENTS AS MOST EFFECTIVE IN CASES OF HOMICIDE, ASSAULT, AND SIMILAR FELONIES. THEY FEEL LEAST EFFECTIVE IN CASES OF DRUNKENNESS, GAMBLING, DRUGS, AND WHITE COLLAR CRIME. BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL NATURE OF THE OFFICE, RELATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY AND PRESS ARE GENERALLY GOOD. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE HOSTILITY DIRECTED TOWARD LAW ENFORCEMENT OFTEN FOUND IN METROPOLITAN AREAS IS NOT AS PREVALENT IN THE RURAL AREAS REPRESENTED BY THIS SAMPLE. FOOTNOTES CONTAIN REFERENCES.