Sheriffs are elected officials overseeing a county, often with broader legal authority; police are municipal law enforcement officers serving cities or towns. The sheriff is typically responsible for a county, which can include multiple towns and rural areas.

Sheriffs, often elected, oversee law enforcement at the county level, managing jails and court security. In contrast, Police Officers appointed by municipal authorities focus on patrolling and law enforcement within specific city limits.

The sheriff’s office is the branch of government responsible for the administration of law and order within a county or other sub-jurisdiction of a state. Instead, a local police department is responsible for maintaining order within a defined geographic area, such as a municipality.

The key differences between a sheriff and the police lie in their jurisdiction, leadership structures, and the scope of their responsibilities. The police and sheriff difference can be small like they both enforce laws or large like the geographical area in which their jurisdiction covers.