What is a Sheriff?

[soberbyker]

Ok, so I was up early and a tad bored and with all the controversy going on with some of the Sheriff's in this Commonwealth, I asked myself, "Just what is a Sheriff in PA?"

So I took a small sampling around the state from a few Sheriff web sites. They all pretty much say the same thing. Why is it then, that they are so different when interpreting the laws of this Commonwealth?

This thread is not intended to be a Sheriff bashing ordeal, I really didn't know what their exact function was. So I looked it up and thought I'd pass it along.

Bill


From the Berks County Sheriff's web site:

What is a Sheriff?

The office of Sheriff in Pennsylvania is a constitutional office. Each of the Pennsylvania's 67 counties has a Sheriff. The term of each Sheriff is four years.

A Sheriff's duties cover a wide area of responsibilities. As an elected office holder, the Sheriff is in a unique position to meet the needs of their constituents. Some Sheriff's have road patrol and criminal investigations responsibilities. Others have special details such as Drug or DUI enforcement, Search and Rescue, and Mounted unites.

Pennsylvania Sheriff's trace their history back to England prior to the signing of the Magna Carta. Today's Sheriff is backed by some of the over 1923 professional and well trained Deputy Sheriffs in Pennsylvania.

A Deputy Sheriff must complete 760 hours of training before they can graduate from the Pennsylvania Sheriff's Academy. In addition to this, deputies must complete regular in-service training to maintain their certifications.

Pennsylvania Sheriff's are a professional law agency hard at work accomplishing our mission: To Protect and Serve.

From the Lawrence County Sheriff’s web site:

The office of sheriff has a long history in Pennsylvania. Its origins can be traced back to colonial days, an influence of early Dutch and English settlers. The Constitution of the Commonwealth was written to include a requirement that all counties have a sheriff.

Sheriffs have been elected by the people since 1838. Prior to that time, voters chose two or more candidates, from whom the governor chose one to fill the position. See Chronology Of County Sheriff's.

The sheriff performs various duties and has much responsibility. The sheriff is a "peace officer", mandated to keep the peace and quell disturbances. He can make arrests, conduct searches, seize property that is used illegally, remove nuisances, and issue firearm licenses. A sheriff can also act as a coroner when that office is vacant. Originally, sheriffs were in charge of jails and prisons throughout the counties of Pennsylvania, however, this is no longer common practice. He also performs tasks concerning the maintenance of order during elections.

The sheriff is an "Officer of the Courts". He serves writs, processes, orders, and notices issued by the courts. He takes part in the selection of jurors and is responsible for summoning them. The sheriff makes civil arrests, takes bail in civil cases and conducts prisoners to their place of confinement. He is responsible for the execution of various judgments of the courts, including the sale of real estate and personal property. After such a sale, the sheriff distributes the proceeds to the parties entitled to them and makes a return to the court.

The Sheriff and Deputy's are always available and will be able to assist you with most of your questions or concerns you may have.

From the Montour County Sheriff’s web site:

The Sheriff is the Highest Ranking Law Enforcement officer in the county. The office of Sheriff is mandated by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Sheriff is an independent elected official with Law Enforcement responsibilities, including warrant less powers of arrest as well as civil and criminal court duties.
As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer, the Sheriff can provide the same type service as other law enforcement agencies including but not limited to the enforcement of Title 18 (PA.Crimes Code) and Title 75 (PA. Vehicle Code). In addition the office of Sheriff is responsible for service of civil work of the Court of Common Pleas as well as service of civil and criminal process for District Magistrates, private attorneys and others.
The Sheriff's Office provides security for the courts as well as all county run agencies and county owned buildings. Sheriff's Deputies transport prisoners to and from various State and County prisons across the Commonwealth for court proceedings. The Office is also responsible for transporting persons back to Montour County who have fled to areas outside the boundaries of the Commonwealth to avoid prosecution.
The Office is responsible for issuance of License to Carry Firearms and regulates and licenses all Firearms Dealers with in the county.

From the Delaware County Sheriff's web site:

The Sheriff's Office of Delaware County dedicates itself to enhancing the quality of life in our county through the rendering of responsive, efficient and professional governmental services to our community and to our courts.

The Sheriff of Delaware County is Joseph F McGinn. The Sheriff is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in the County and has full powers to enforce the law and make arrests. His Deputies have the same powers in most instances and under all circumstances if they are Act 120 certified.

Under the direction of the Sheriff McGinn and Chief Deputy Sheriff William Kelly the office is staffed with forty-one full-time uniformed Deputy Sheriffs, two administrative personnel, and 12 clerical workers each performing a valuable service.

Under the direction of the Sheriff, Deputies keep the peace in the County, assist other law enforcement agencies in the County and:

Provide security and protection for the Court of Common Pleas
Provide security and protection for Juvenile Court
Transport prisoners for court appearances
Serve and enforce all orders of the Court of Common Pleas
Conduct background checks on concealed weapons application
Real Estate (Sheriff's Sales)
Sheriff's Bench Warrants
Community Affairs Programs
Sheriff's Office Phone Guide
Sheriff's Historical Listing
Ask The Sheriff
Warrant Search - For Public
Warrant Search - Law Enforcement Only

From the Wayne County Sheriff's web site:

Mission Statement:
The mission of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department is assure a safe environment for our community and an excellent quality of life. We provide a substantial level of services directed in a civil and respectful manner for the protection of lives, property, and welfare of our citizens and visitors.



Sheriff Duties:

The Duties of a Sheriff: > To serve and enforce all orders of the Wayne County Court of Common Pleas.
> To provide security and protection for the Court of Common Pleas and court related functions.
> To provide courthouse policing throughout the courthouse complex.
> To transport prisoners to and from county, state and federal institutions for court appearances.
> To keep the peace in the county.
> To arrest violators of the law and fugitives.
> To assist other law enforcement agencies in the county as requested or in periods of emergency.
> To serve Criminal and Domestic bench warrants.
> To serve and enforce protection from abuse orders
> To enforce child custody orders.
> To conduct levies, sales of personal property and real estate.
> To issue concealed weapons permits and licenses to sell firearms.
> To serve all types of civil process.
> To conduct investigations.
> To perform other duties as required by the Court of Common Pleas and the County Commissioners.

.

[phillyshooter]

Looking at the Philadelphia Sheriff website it seems our Sheriff only deals with home foreclosures while the Deputies transport prisoners to and from court.

[FUNDAMENTALS]

I posted this information before and maybe this will be benefical to us all.
www.pasheriffs.org. I had received a copy of the Pennsylvania Sheriff, which
is published annually. The magazine editor is Beth Appleby. I Quote:" Visit our
new website at www.pasheriffs.org and let us know what you think about our
site, post comments on our magazine, or any questions you may have." End
Quote. E-mail for the magazine editor is: PSABeth@aol.com . Tel 717-236-7336.

[MOUNTAINORACLE]

IMHO a sheriff is the representative of royal authority in a shire.

In the US a sheriff is generally the highest, elected, law enforcement officer of a county and commander of militia in that county. The political election of a person to serve as a police leader is an American tradition.

oracle

[Damage control]

With this being said....

A Deputy Sheriff must complete 760 hours of training before they can graduate from the Pennsylvania Sheriff's Academy. In addition to this, deputies must complete regular in-service training to maintain their certifications.

But the Sheriff him self is an elected official.Does that mean the Sheriff is exempt from the 760 hour training class? If so that means the deputy is more qualified with regards to the law and he should be the one issuing permits and such?

DC