What is the difference between a sheriff and police department? Do they govern different things and have completely separate powers? Does one have more jurisdiction over another and what happens when it comes to committing a criminal offence?
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>What is the difference between a sheriff and police department?
You can read about sheriffs in England and Wales [here](https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/privy-council-office/high-sheriffs/), and Scottish sheriffs [here](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/debt-and-money/action-your-creditor-can-take/powers-of-sheriff-officers-s/).
Sheriffs serve in shrieval councils, whose boundaries used to (but not longer) match with administrative boundaries. Sheriffs have the power to enforce court orders – they can evict you, make you pay a debt, etc, if the court has so ordered. They typically have “warrant for all lawful execution”, which lets them enter your house in the business of carrying out their duty.
The police are much more common, and carry out the actual legal function of law enforcement.
> Do they govern different things and have completely separate powers?
Yes. Sheriffs are basically direct extensions of the court, while the police are extensions of the Crown and Parliament (though they, too, uphold court orders).
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