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What is the difference between a Sheriff's Department and a Sheriff's Office and why should it matter?

Black’s Law Dictionary defined the terms as follows:

DEPARTMENT: “One of the major divisions of the executive branch of the government . . . generally, a branch or division of governmental administration.”


The Office of Sheriff is NOT simply another “department” of county government. The internal operation of an Office of Sheriff is the sole responsibility of the elected Sheriff. County department heads are subordinate to a county governing body, because a “department” is truly only a division of county government. The Office of Sheriff is a statutory/constitutional office having exclusive powers and authority under state law and or state constitution. These inherent powers are not subject to the dictates of a local county governing body. The Office of Sheriff has inherent common law powers and sovereignty granted under a state’s constitution and/or state law. It is different from a county department which derives its limited authority from whatever is delegated to is by statute or by state constitution.

The use of the “Department” implies being a subordinate unit of government (i.e. subordinate to local government – “delegated” authority from county government to department). The use of the term “Office” implies inherent powers and independent sovereignty.

(Found at www.aransascounty, derived from the Sheriff Association of Texas.)

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Last updated: 10/13/2008 12:47:04 PM