Sheriffs in the United States

In the United States, a sheriff is a county official and is typically the top law enforcement officer of a county. Historically, the sheriff was also commander of the militia in that county. Distinctive in law enforcement in the United States, sheriffs are usually elected. While the position of a County Sheriff is typically an elected one within the United States, many states (such as California) have state laws requiring that a person possess certain law enforcement qualifications before being able to run for the office. The political election of a person to serve as a police leader is an almost uniquely American tradition. However, examples exist, such as the Honorary Police of Jersey, a British Crown Dependency in the Channel Islands, have been elected since at least the 16th century.