Why is Sheriff an elected type job?

Question

It is a rank of cop so I don't understand.

Answer 1

Because he is part of the corruption

Answer 2

He isn't just a police officer, he is the leading officer of the county. Thus, he sets the policy. With elections, the people get a say in whether they like or dislike the policies that have been set.

I can understand making an argument for an appointed sheriff, but I also don't see anything wrong with elections. Why do you find it so surprising? Isn't it good to have a sheriff who is accountable to the people?

Answer 3

It goes back to old English laws under the King and how taxes were collected. The country (England) was divided into Shires (similar to what we would call counties). Each Shire had one person appointed by the King to collect taxes from the people living in that Shire. This person was known as the Shiereef (I might have the spelling wrong on that.)

Over the years, the Shireef was given additional law enforcement duties. When this country (the United States) was founded, we incorporated a lot of that old English law and customs. Since this country and each state doesn't have a King to appoint someone to this "top" law enforcement position (and the sheriff is the top law enforcement official in his or her county) the sheriff's position became elected, supposedly to keep the position unbiased and free from political influence because "the people" would choose who held the position and not one person.

Hope this answer helps.

Answer 4

I would like to know this, too. We recently had our primaries in Montana, and all of the guys running for sheriff in my town were Republicans, so, effectively, the sheriff was elected in the primary. I found it upsetting that Democrats could not then vote for who would be sheriff. It really makes no sense for a law enforcement officer to be elected, and especially not in a partisan way. Law officers should be non-partisan; will the new sheriff pick on people for having democratic bumper stickers or lawn signs? I agree, I think it's wrong. I want to be protected by the most qualified, not the most popular.

Answer 5

As oppossed to an Appointed Position?....I would rather have the ability as a citizen to elect someone else to keep law and order if needed, than have his term in office reliant on the appointing persons.

A Sheriff is a public servant. If the Sheriff is not doing a good job for the public, then they should be able to excerise one of the only true rights we have and elect someone else.

Answer 6

It goes way back to old England i.e. the Sheriff of Nottingham etc. The king (or Queen) made the sheriff be elected so the peasants though they had a part in being governed.Well with only one candidate they weren't very smart , but i guess it made them happy until Robin-hood came along . Well that another question.

Answer 7

Traditionally, a Sheriff is the county jailer. Over the years, that typical role has expanded to include law enforcement in areas that were often given over to constables - outside of police jurisdiction, usually in rural settings.

The Sheriff is occasionally not a law enforcement professional - rather, they are a management person charged with handling sizable budgets and large departments.

As a result, the elected position of Sheriff ends up going to the one who puts up the best argument that they can handle rural crime, can keep the jail running smoothly within a budget, and markets the strongest management style.

Answer 8

the sheriff is the highest law enforcement job in any county. a sheriff can only be arrested by warrant and to avoid abuse of this power our founders made this an elected position.

Answer 9

No idea. I'd rather it be a promotion after years of solid work. Elections open the door for corruption. Often people will contribute to an election campaign to buy themselves special treatment.

Answer 10

Because that is the way many county governments are set up. I'm sure there are some counties where the sheriff is appointed.

Answer 11

It shouldnt be IMO - most of them have never done the job as a deputy and sit behind a desk and make rules for the force that are BS. Do the job first and see if the goofy rules are sensible.