Sheriff vs. Cop — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 18, 2024
A sheriff is an elected official managing county law enforcement, while a cop, or police officer, operates under city or state jurisdiction.
Difference Between Sheriff and Cop
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A sheriff is typically elected by the public and oversees the entire county's law enforcement duties, including operating jails and serving court orders. Whereas, a cop is usually appointed and serves within a specific city or municipality, focusing on enforcing local laws and ordinances.
Sheriffs often have jurisdiction over larger geographical areas that may include multiple towns or municipalities, on the other hand, cops work within the limits of the city that employs them, handling day-to-day law enforcement and public safety.
The role of a sheriff includes broader responsibilities such as transporting prisoners and executing foreclosures and evictions. Police officers, meanwhile, are primarily concerned with patrolling, traffic control, and responding to emergencies and crimes within their city.
Sheriffs may also be involved in legal processes directly, such as serving subpoenas and enforcing court judgements. In contrast, cops are typically more involved in the community-oriented aspects of law enforcement, such as engaging in community policing and outreach.
In terms of hierarchy, sheriffs can be seen as the chief law enforcement officers of their counties, whereas police officers are part of a larger police department with a more defined chain of command.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Jurisdiction
County-wide
City or town-specific
Appointment
Elected by public
Appointed by government officials
Main Responsibilities
Operating jails, serving court orders
Patrolling, enforcing local laws
Area of Operation
Multiple towns or municipalities
Typically a single city
Community Interaction
Legal and court-related duties
Community policing, public safety engagements
Compare with Definitions
Sheriff
Oversees civil processes, such as evictions and subpoenas.
The sheriff served the court summons yesterday.
Cop
A municipal police officer tasked with enforcing local laws and ordinances.
The cop patrolled the neighborhood nightly.
Sheriff
Acts as a bailiff in some county courts.
The sheriff ensured order during the high-profile trial.
Cop
Conducts investigations and gathers evidence in criminal cases.
The cop collected fingerprints from the crime scene.
Sheriff
A county's chief law enforcement officer, elected to oversee the county jail and serve court documents.
The sheriff organized a meeting to discuss community safety.
Cop
Responds to emergencies, such as accidents and crimes, within their jurisdiction.
The cop was first on the scene after the 911 call.
Sheriff
Responsible for maintaining peace and enforcing the law across a county.
The sheriff's department responded swiftly to the flood-affected areas.
Cop
Regulates traffic and ensures public safety on roads.
The cop issued a speeding ticket to enforce traffic safety.
Sheriff
Can commandeer private property in emergency situations.
During the manhunt, the sheriff commandeered a nearby barn for use as a command post.
Cop
Engages in community policing to strengthen relationships with local residents.
The cop organized a bike safety day for kids.
Sheriff
A sheriff is a government official, with varying duties, existing in some countries with historical ties to England where the office originated. There is an analogous although independently developed office in Iceland that is commonly translated to English as sheriff, and this is discussed below.
Cop
A police officer
A cop in a patrol car gave chase
Sheriff
A public officer in the United States with responsibility for certain law enforcement and administrative legal duties, such as making arrests and serving processes, usually for a particular county.
Cop
Shrewdness; practical intelligence
He had the cop-on to stay clear of Hugh Thornley
Sheriff
A public officer in various other countries performing certain law enforcement, judicial, or ceremonial functions.
Cop
A conical mass of thread wound on to a spindle.
Sheriff
(High Sheriff) An official of a shire or county office, responsible for carrying out court orders, law enforcement and other duties.
Cop
Catch or arrest (an offender)
He was copped for speeding
Sheriff
(Scotland) A judge in the sheriff court, the court of a county or sheriffdom.
Cop
Receive or attain (something welcome)
She copped an award for her role in the film
Sheriff
(US) A government official, usually responsible for law enforcement in their county and for administration of the county jail, sometimes an officer of the court, usually elected.
Cop
Strike (an attitude or pose)
I copped an attitude—I acted real tough
Sheriff
To carry out the duties of a sheriff
Cop
A police officer.
Sheriff
The chief officer of a shire or county, to whom is intrusted the execution of the laws, the serving of judicial writs and processes, and the preservation of the peace.
Cop
One that regulates certain behaviors or actions
"Faced with the world recession of the early 1980s, ... the World Bank ... became a stern economic taskmaster and cop" (Richard J. Barnet).
Sheriff
The principal law-enforcement officer in a county
Cop
A cone-shaped or cylindrical roll of yarn or thread wound on a spindle.
Cop
Chiefly British A summit or crest, as of a hill.
Cop
To get hold of; gain or win
A show that copped four awards.
Copped a ticket to the game.
Cop
To perceive by one of the senses
"copped a quick look at the gentleman ... on the right" (Gail Sheehy).
Cop
To take unlawfully or without permission; steal.
Cop
To obtain, to purchase (as in drugs), to get hold of, to take.
Cop
(transitive) To (be forced to) take; to receive; to shoulder; to bear, especially blame or punishment for a particular instance of wrongdoing.
When caught, he would often cop a vicious blow from his father.
Cop
To see and record a railway locomotive for the first time.
Cop
(transitive) To steal.
Cop
(transitive) To adopt.
No need to cop a 'tude with me, junior.
Cop
(transitive) To earn by bad behavior.
Cop
To admit, especially to a crime or wrongdoing.
I already copped to the murder. What else do you want from me?
Harold copped to being known as "Dirty Harry".
Cop
Of a pimp: to recruit a prostitute into the stable.
Cop
(informal) A police officer or prison guard.
Cop
(obsolete) A spider.
Cop
(crafts) The ball of thread wound on to the spindle in a spinning machine.
Cop
(obsolete) The top, summit, especially of a hill.
Cop
(obsolete) The crown (of the head); also the head itself.
The stature is bowed down in age, the cop is depressed.
Cop
A roughly dome-shaped piece of armor, especially one covering the shoulder, the elbow, or the knee.
Cop
A tube or quill upon which silk is wound.
Cop
A merlon.
Cop
The top of a thing; the head; a crest.
Cop they used to callThe tops of many hills.
Cop
A conical or conical-ended mass of coiled thread, yarn, or roving, wound upon a spindle, etc.
Cop
A tube or quill upon which silk is wound.
Cop
Same as Merlon.
Cop
A policeman.
Cop
Uncomplimentary terms for a policeman
Cop
Take by theft;
Someone snitched my wallet!
Cop
Take into custody;
The police nabbed the suspected criminals
Common Curiosities
What training is required for sheriffs and cops?
Both sheriffs and cops are required to complete law enforcement training at an academy, but sheriffs might undergo additional training specific to their broader responsibilities.
Can a cop become a sheriff?
Yes, a cop can run for the position of sheriff if they meet the qualifications and are elected by the public in a county election.
How do the roles of sheriffs and cops differ in emergency situations?
In emergencies, sheriffs often coordinate broader county-wide responses, while cops handle specific incidents within their city limits.
Who oversees the operations of cops?
Cops are typically overseen by a police chief or a police commissioner, who is the highest-ranking officer within a city police department.
How does public perception differ between a sheriff and a cop?
Public perception can vary, but typically sheriffs are viewed as more politically involved due to their elected nature, while cops are often seen as more directly involved in day-to-day community safety.
What is the impact of the election process on a sheriff’s job?
Being elected can influence a sheriff's priorities and policies, as they may focus on broader county concerns and community relations to secure re-election.
Do sheriffs manage their own budgets?
Sheriffs typically manage larger budgets that cover county-wide law enforcement needs, including jails and court services, unlike cops who are part of a city’s police budget.
What role do unions play in the lives of sheriffs and cops?
Both sheriffs and cops may be part of unions which advocate for their rights, wages, and working conditions, though the specific unions and their influence can differ.
Do sheriffs have more authority than cops?
Sheriffs generally have wider authority within their counties compared to cops, who are limited to their specific cities or municipalities.
Do sheriffs participate in patrols like cops?
Sheriffs may patrol, but their primary responsibilities often involve managing the county jail and serving legal documents, unlike cops who regularly patrol their jurisdictions.
What happens if a crime occurs on the boundary between a sheriff’s and a cop’s jurisdiction?
If a crime occurs on the boundary, both the sheriff’s department and city police might respond and cooperate on the case, depending on the specific circumstances.
Can sheriffs enact laws?
Sheriffs cannot enact laws; they are tasked with enforcing the laws that are passed by local, state, or federal governments.
How does the community interact differently with sheriffs versus cops?
Community interaction with sheriffs may be more focused on county issues and elections, while interaction with cops often revolves around immediate local concerns, safety programs, and day-to-day law enforcement.
What are the limitations of a cop’s power?
A cop’s powers are limited to enforcement within their assigned city or town, and they must operate under the guidelines and policies of their police department.
How are complaints against sheriffs and cops handled?
Complaints against both sheriffs and cops are usually handled through internal affairs divisions, but sheriffs might also be subject to oversight by county officials or the electorate.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Assignment vs. Delegation
Next Comparison
Giganotosaurus vs. TyrannosaurusAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
