(NationRise.com) – It’s no surprise elected officials hold vast amounts of power depending on their positions. It’s also no surprise that the President of the United States (POTUS) holds the most power of all individuals in the country. However, that’s not what we’re looking at; we’re looking at a position that holds so much weight, even the POTUS has a challenge to their power via Congress. Let’s elaborate on this statement.
Presidential Power
As we all know, POTUS is the executive power in the US and ultimately has the last say on potential laws and actions. It’s the ultimate elected position in the US, so it may sound strange to compare the power of the president to that of a county sheriff. Let’s be clear, there is no contest in the amount of authority a sheriff has in comparison to the presidents. However, while POTUS is the highest office in the country, they still answer to Congress, the Constitution and even the Supreme Court. Sheriffs, on the other hand, often have unrivaled and absolute power in their jurisdictions, answering only to themselves, voters and their state’s constitution.
Sheriff’s Power
Sheriffs can be found in 46 states across the country, where they’re elected into office. Unlike police officers, sheriffs hold almost complete autonomy. Police departments answer to their city governments, whereas a Sheriff’s Office answers only to itself, the state constitution and voters.
In addition, the Sheriff’s Office serves the entire county in which it’s stationed. Overseeing security and staffing of jails is also a sheriff’s responsibility.
Sheriffs Across the Country
There are 3,081 sheriffs across the nation in 48 of the 50 states; Alaska has no county government, and Connecticut has replaced sheriffs with a State Marshal system. While Hawaii technically has no sheriffs, there are deputy sheriffs within the Hawaii Department of Public Safety’s Sheriff Division. In 41 of the states, a sheriff’s term is only four years long, but they can run for reelection. Other states have election terms lasting between two and six years.
Unrivaled Power
When it comes to law enforcement, the sheriff holds unrivaled power — at least within their county. In some areas, such as Indiana, the only person able to arrest a sheriff is the county coroner, who can also act as an interim sheriff and may wield any powers the sheriff’s office holds during that time.
These offices answer only to themselves, the state’s constitution and the people who voted for them. There is some controversy and possible cause for concern as, in most counties, anyone can run for the office of the sheriff regardless of any law enforcement experience or lack thereof. Do sheriffs truly hold more power than the POTUS? Maybe not. But, in terms of unchallenged power, sheriffs take the cake.
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