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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Imagine your town is like a big school. Think of the sheriff like the headmaster of the school. The sheriff is elected and is in charge of law enforcement in a county, which is a larger area that might include several towns. The sheriff’s deputies patrol areas outside city limits and often manage the county jail. Now, the police department is more like the teachers and staff who look after each classroom or town. They’re part of a city or town government and focus on law enforcement within that specific city or town. The sheriff’s jurisdiction covers the entire county, including areas that don’t have their own police department. The police department’s jurisdiction is limited to the city or town it serves. If someone commits a crime in an area covered by a police department, the local police would handle it. If it’s in an area without a local police force, or if it’s a bigger or more serious crime, the sheriff’s department would step in.
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