Difference in cops, sheriffs, highway patrol, etc.?

Question

What is the difference between cops, sheriffs, highway patrol, state agents, federal agents, other than who they work for? Or the only difference is the names? Like; why are some called police, others called highway patrol, etc.

Answer 1

It is primarily Jurisdiction. City Police have primary jurisdiction within their respective city or annex. County Sheriff covers things within the county but does not generally step into the city's jurisdiction. The sheriff's primary responsibility is Detention and his secondary is traffic enforcement in the county. State Police primarily only handle traffic enforcement on the highways and freeways. All of these agencies generally work cooperatively with the differing agencies but, each has their own primary function. The difference in the name primarily tells you what the duty may or should be of each agency. I.E. Highway Patrol is exactly that.

Answer 2

City police have jurisdiction in their cities. Sheriffs have jurisdiction in their counties. Those two primarily cover those areas. The Highway Patrol is responsible for all highways in the state. That is not to say that the sheriffs cant do that too but in MS only the Highway Patrol and cities that have a population of 2,000 or more can use radar. I am a MHP officer and we can write tickets or make arrests just about anywhere in the state. We usually handle all the wrecks on the highways because it is our job and we have more training in those areas. But when it comes down to it we are all out for the same goal. To enforce the law and make this a safer world. Sounds corny but it why we do it. Damn sure not for the money.

Answer 3

A city cop has jurisdiction within the city limits. A county cop within the county. A state cop within the state. The highway patrol patrols the highway. Etc.
There are some differences other than jurisdiction: the sheriff's office is usually in charge of the county jail, and provides security at the courthouse while the county police patrol the streets; the federal cops are primarily concerned with crimes that cross state lines.

Answer 4

Cops - Assigned to the city, and has jurisdiction only in the city.
Sheriff - Assigned to the county and has jurisdiction in the county and in the city, but usually hang out in the county.
Highway Patrol - Assigned to the state, and has jurisdiction through out the whole state. (city, county and state).
Feds - Jurisdiction throughout the whole United States. The first two, been there, done that, I now have the pleasure of working throughtout the whole US. Thank you God, and God Bless you all..

Answer 5

that guy dd a good job on his answer about the rest of them but highway patrol just do the high ways and freeways they are there to make sure you a driving safe to to do high speed chases and to help when you have car trouble and in indiana case to keep 3 year olds off the high way cause doped up mommys are sleeping and they get out and play in the highways good luck

Answer 6

All in all its just where one works. Say for instance you have the michigan state police but in florida you have the florida highway patrol both are state agencies they just have different names

all in all it is just a name thing

Answer 7

Jurisdiction. Sherriff's usually can arrest anyone within County limits... They also transport prisoners... Cops can arrest within City.. Feds can arrest in any State... State Police can arrest anyone within State...

Answer 8

Level of Arrogance

Answer 9

Level of education.