It is the duty of a sheriff or deputy sheriff to ensure that people living in their county or another jurisdiction have access to essential law enforcement. Consider working for a sheriff’s department in your community if you have an interest in criminal justice and want to provide active law enforcement services. Planning your long-term career prospects in this industry can be made easier by having a thorough understanding of the duties and scope of each position.
It is the duty of a sheriff or deputy sheriff to ensure that people living in their county or another jurisdiction have access to essential law enforcement. Consider working for a sheriff’s department in your community if you have an interest in criminal justice and want to provide active law enforcement services. Planning your long-term career prospects in this industry can be made easier by having a thorough understanding of the duties and scope of each position.
It is the duty of a sheriff or deputy sheriff to ensure that people living in their county or another jurisdiction have access to essential law enforcement. Consider working for a sheriff’s department in your community if you have an interest in criminal justice and want to provide active law enforcement services. Planning your long-term career prospects in this industry can be made easier by having a thorough understanding of the duties and scope of each position.
What is a police officer?
A police officer is a member of the law enforcement community who works in an urban area and is solely in charge of patrolling the city or town where they are employed. Additionally, police officers uphold and enforce the law, participate in investigations, give testimony against criminals who have been convicted, and may offer assistance during traffic accidents. Police officers can work as patrol officers, keeping watch over a certain area of a city to prevent crime and apprehend offenders. Unlike sheriffs, who are elected or appointed by senior officers, police officers are typically hired by local police departments.
What is a deputy sheriff?
A deputy sheriff is a member of the law enforcement community who is in charge of the entire county where they are employed. To uphold and enforce the law in their county, deputy sheriffs frequently collaborate with regional or federal law enforcement officials, depending on the circumstances of a given case or investigation. In an urban setting, such as a city or town, these professionals typically begin their careers as police patrol officers. Typically, an elected county sheriff appoints their deputies from a pool of highly qualified candidates to form a productive team of professionals to support sheriffs in their duties.
Differences between a deputy sheriff and a police officer
While a police officer and a deputy sheriff have similar career paths, they differ in terms of pay, jurisdiction, and training. The following are some key distinctions between a police officer and a deputy sheriff:
Jurisdiction
A police officer’s jurisdiction, or the area within which they are authorized to work, is the main distinction between them and a deputy sheriff. Typically, a deputy sheriff is in charge of an entire county, which may include several small cities and towns. These individuals can carry out investigations and support local law enforcement, but they hardly ever travel outside of their home state. A police officer, however, typically possesses jurisdiction within their city. Additionally, a police officer’s jurisdiction may include a city’s surroundings, certain highways, and parts of their county.
Typically, a city has more police officers per square mile than a county does. Whereas police officers typically operate in groups or pairs within their city limits, a sheriff may strategically place their deputies more widely throughout their jurisdiction to cover a larger area. When criminal activity occurs in both of their jurisdictions and requires cooperation between departments to resolve, deputy sheriffs and police officers may work together on cases.
Training
At a police academy or comparable university training program, both police officers and deputy sheriffs receive specialized training. Depending on the program you choose, training can last up to six months. Typically, police officers are trained in the use of weapons and police procedures, though these can vary between cities, states, and jurisdictions. For instance, since crowds of people may gather in cities in larger numbers, city police officers may be trained in crowd control and riot dispersal. On the other hand, a sheriff’s deputy might not need this instruction because these events may never occur in their jurisdiction.
Although training requirements for police officers and deputy sheriffs may be similar in some states, both positions frequently have the opportunity to pursue it. For instance, some states demand that deputy sheriffs complete additional policy training. It may be helpful to research the requirements for the state in which you seek employment if you want to pursue either career path.
Education
An undergraduate degree in law enforcement is an option for both police officers and deputy sheriffs to advance their understanding of the law, criminal justice, and police policy. Undergraduate degrees can be earned in two to four years. A bachelor’s degree is a four-year program that teaches more advanced concepts and techniques, while an associate degree is a two-year program that teaches students the fundamentals of law enforcement. Due to their advanced knowledge, law enforcement students who hold a bachelor’s degree may be paid more.
Deputy sheriffs and police officers typically possess at least an associate’s degree, though this varies by employer and isn’t always a requirement. State-specific educational requirements can also differ, with some requiring officers to complete an undergraduate degree prior to beginning their academy training. An undergraduate degree in law enforcement can support your goals regardless of the career path you select or the state in which you intend to pursue your career.
Job duties
Police officers and deputy sheriffs perform similar tasks, but there are a few important distinctions:
Salary
Work environment
Police officers and deputy sheriffs both work in environments that are similar, but police officers typically stay within the boundaries of their respective cities. Due to city grid layouts, buildings, and areas with high traffic, urban environments can be challenging to patrol. Typically, sheriff deputies serve in more rural areas, which have unique challenges, such as vast tracts of land to patrol. Deputies and police officers work in both outdoor and indoor environments.
Both professions share similar workplace hazards, as well. Criminal investigations can be potentially dangerous, but law enforcement personnel, including police officers and deputy sheriffs, receive extensive training in threat detection and mitigation. To ensure a secure environment and their ability to find criminals quickly, both officers may also collaborate with the general public.
