What is a sheriff, and why are they elected?

In Kentucky, like in most of the country, the sheriff is an elected official who serves as the chief law enforcement officer in a county, as opposed to the chief of police, who is typically appointed by a board or mayor to lead a municipal police department. Sheriffs' offices work to enforce and investigate violations of state laws, similar to police departments, but also have other duties, such as protecting court officers and proceedings, collecting taxes, and assisting other law enforcement agencies with prisoner transport.

• The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office has around 80 career staff employees, including deputies and civilians. The sheriff serves a four-year term, and the position is on the ballot this year. The Daviess County Sheriff's Office also has a Civil Enforcement Unit to handle animal complaints and control, serve civil papers, and assist with other activities, such as traffic control.

  
  

Sheriffs in colonial America were usually appointed representatives of the English crown, but elected sheriffs gradually grew more widespread, becoming the norm in the United States by the early 19^th century. Today, all but three states have sheriffs, and more than 95% of these sheriffs are elected by local residents.

• The National Sheriffs’ Association supports the popular election of sheriffs, arguing that this practice makes the sheriff's office accountable to the people it serves, not to a board or another elected official, and gives voters a voice in shaping a powerful position within their county.