Sheriff

Sheriffs enforce laws in areas not covered by municipal police departments. Sheriffs have the exact same responsibilities as police officers. Sheriff and deputy sheriffs cite people for traffic violations, patrol specified areas, respond to 911 calls, and apprehend suspected criminals. Sheriffs conduct criminal investigations, retrieve evidence, and detain people with arrest warrants. Sheriffs issue subpoenas and summons and sometimes provide security at courtrooms. Sheriffs write reports used in court and keep daily logs.

Deputy sheriffs transport prison inmates to hospitals and courts. Deputies also monitor county jail inmates and have responsibilities similar to corrections officers. They’re also assigned administrative duties.

Occupational activities:

Issue arrest warrants and apprehend suspected criminals
Issue traffic tickets
Investigate suspicious activities
Secure courtrooms
Patrol specified regions and respond to 911 calls
Seize property after court orders are issued
Serve summons and subpoenas
Transfer jail inmates to hospitals and courtrooms
Write reports, maintain daily logs, and keep other records

Featured Career Articles

Benefits of Law Enforcement Careers
Law enforcement careers differ and job requirements vary at the local, state, and federal levels. When selecting a job in law enforcement you must keep this in mind... more »

Law Enforcement Professional Qualities
What makes a good law enforcement professional? Some of the more obvious qualities include strength, honesty, and the ability to remain calm under pressure... more »

Local, State, and Federal Careers
Law enforcement careers include regular salary increases, on-the-job training, good benefits, and opportunities for career advancement, and much, much more... more »

United States Marshal
The U.S. Marshal Service is the law enforcement arm of the United States federal court system, and consequently, is involved in almost every federal law enforcement initiative.

Salary: $35k - $100k+
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Job Outlook: Excellent

Learn more...

Homeland Security Agent
Homeland Security agents have jobs of vast responsibility. They are primarily responsible for ensuring the safety of our nation and security our country's borders.

Salary: $38k - $60k+
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Job Outlook: Excellent

Learn more...

Crime Scene Investigator
Crime scene investigators supervise, evaluate, investigate and analyze complex crime scenes where invasions, sexual assaults, murders, armed robberies, and burglaries have occurred.

Salary: $38k - $99k
Education:GED/College Degree
Job Outlook: Excellent

Learn more...