Sheriff

Job Description

A sheriff is an elected law enforcement officer of a county. They may be the highest level officer within a county, and they perform duties similar to those of a local or county police chief. They are committed to maintaining order, enforcing laws and ordinances and protecting lives and property within their assigned patrol area. Sheriffs are also in charge of issuing traffic tickets, directing traffic, investigating accidents, as well as apprehending and arresting suspects and appear in court when needed. In rural areas, sheriffs and their deputies may be the only law enforcement in town. Whereas, sheriffs in more urban areas and larger counties will have a larger group and more police forces. Because they are elected, they have acquired a level of trust and responsibility within their respective counties, and demonstrate their responsibilities by being responsive to the public and handling individual’s needs as much as possible. According to the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), sheriffs are elected to four-year terms in 41 states, two-year terms in three states, a three-year term in one state and a six-year term in one state.

Educational Requirements

The educational requirements for a sheriff may involve some college education, but it is not required. For those who want to obtain a college education, will benefit greatly from studying criminal justice or another related topic. Most sheriffs have at least their high school diploma, GED or equivalent, as well as a clean criminal background. Much of their learning occurs on the job and in their previous work experiences as a police officer or sheriff’s deputy. They usually work their way up the ladder, acquiring as much relevant experience as possible and demonstrating their law enforcement skills. Once a sheriff has been elected by the public, they are strongly encouraged to attend a training program for first-time sheriffs. For instance, NSA and the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) have put together the National Sheriff’s Institute (NSI), which is a training program that helps new sheriffs understand their role within the community.

Career Outlook and Salary

Like most law enforcement officials, the career outlook for sheriffs should also be positive. The increasing population and a growing or stable crime rate will increase the demand for highly trained and well-educated sheriffs. As one of the top law enforcement officers in the local community, sheriffs quickly acquire a great deal of experience managing and delegating the duties of law enforcement, and are therefore qualified for a number of advanced positions within the field. In addition to a steady career outlook, sheriffs are also eligible for excellent annual earnings. The median salary for a county sheriff is $93,980, according to a 2009 salary report on Salary.com. The stability and generous benefits most law enforcement officials enjoy are also extended to sheriffs, such as medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as retirement and pension plans.