I always see them around here (Dallas) in the same kind of cars (different designs on them, respectively) but I see all of them giving tickets to people. Is there some kind of jurisdictional difference?
2007-03-21 01:29:21 · 3 answers · asked by sqrly 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Police is City, Sheriff and Constable is County, Highway is State...I think, anyway.
2007-03-21 01:35:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Police officers work for the Police Chief, which is a hired position that reports to the City Manager and/or Mayor/City Council
Deputies work for the Sheriff, which is an elected position that is voted upon by constituents of the entire county. he works on equal footing with the County Judge and Commissioner's Court
Constables (some have deputies) are elected positions that have jurisdiction within the County Precinct that they were elected out of, but is extended throughout the county. they normally work closely with the Justice of the Peace in their respective precincts.
Highway Patrolmen are part of the DPS, which is "the" state law enforcement agency. their jurisdiction is the entire state of Texas.
.... i think this is right, although some nuances of "jurisdictional control" may be a little different from county to county, depending upon any inter-local agreements that may be in place.
2007-03-21 14:50:31 · answer #2 · answered by George in Texas 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The difference, mainly, is where they get their funding. You have the local police, which are employees of the city, sheriff deputies, which are employees of the county, Never heard of a constable in the States, and highway patrol are employees of the state.
Each can pull you over. Even if they're out of their jurisdiction. (I've seen them pull someone over, then they call in the proper jurisdiction.)
2007-03-21 10:31:34 · answer #3 · answered by Captain Moe 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋