What is the difference between the police department and the sheriff’s office? That is a complicated question, due to the evolution of Virginia’s local governments. The short answer to this question is that the police department falls under the control of the county, and the sheriff’s office is subject to the control of the state. As for the long answer, let’s start with a little history, taking you back to 17^th century Virginia. In 1634, the Colony of Virginia was divided into eight shires (a fancy British word for counties). The shire form of government included the appointed position of sheriff. In England, the “High Sheriff” collected royal taxes, managed the king’s estates, kept the peace, and ran local courts (surely you remember the Sheriff of Nottingham from various Robin Hood movies). Following the American Revolution, the Governor of Virginia appointed sheriffs for fixed terms. The Virginia Constitution of 1830 shifted the office, making the sheriff an elected position in the counties and cities.

Sheriffs handled all law enforcement roles, but by the late 19^th century, some cities created separate police departments. The City of Alexandria had the first police department, starting in 1870. In the early 20^th century, Arlington County’s laws were enforced by one sheriff, one deputy sheriff, and about twelve special officers whose job was to patrol one of the fastest-growing counties in America. The population grew from 6,430 in 1900 to 57,040 in 1940. Arlington’s proximity to the District of Columbia made it a haven for gamblers, and for bootleggers during Prohibition. Arlington’s sheriff’s office was made up of men whose method of operation had not changed since the early 1900’s. They were not paid salaries; instead, they earned money for every arrest made or warrant served. At a time when much of Arlington still had no indoor plumbing, the deputy sheriffs supplemented their income by being paid to inspect the county’s outhouses. The long-time elected sheriff, Howard Fields, was a bit of a character (or caricature might be the better word). As recounted in an interview with long-time Arlington attorney Tom Phillips,Sheriff Fields was the picture of a small-town sheriff – a slightly overweight man in his middle 50’s, just under six feet tall, with an imposing walrus mustache. Fields never carried a gun but used “the strength of his personality and a poison-eyed stare” to enforce the county’s laws.

By 1939, Sheriff Fields realized a change was needed. In a letter to the county board in January of 1940, Fields stated, “Because of the growth of the county … I agree with the general trend of public opinion that there should be a change in the police set-up and would like to request that the administration of the police department, including the recommendation of men for appointment thereto, be transferred to the county manager.” A separate county police department was formed on February 1, 1940, with nine officers.
 

I hesitate to make this summary of law enforcement responsibilities more confusing, but I must add that the stories of other Virginia jurisdictions can be even more bewildering. Loudoun County has a sheriff’s office, but no police department. Some cities have sheriffs and a police department, and some cities have only a police department. Some cities have jails, while other cities rely on using county jails.

But let me circle back to my original question: What is the difference between the police department and the sheriff’s office? The most succinct answer lies in their mission statements. The mission of the Arlington County Police Department is “… the reduction of the incidence of crime and the improvement of the quality of life in Arlington County by making it a place where all people can live safely and without fear.” The mission of the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office is “…to make the justice system work, and foster Commitment, Diversity, Integrity, Respect, and Teamwork.”  What comprises this “justice system”? Next week I will explain this term and write about the main duties of the sheriff’s office.