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> Additionally, they're the only law enforcement officer directly accountable to the people, since they're elected. Usually this is probably a good thing, but
by lupusreal 1y ago
> Additionally, they're the only law enforcement officer directly accountable to the people, since they're elected.
Usually this is probably a good thing, but sometimes their need to be popular with locals means the position gets filled by loud mouthed showboaters who even get themselves into national news with their not always harmless antics. Most of the most famous/notorious police in America have been sheriffs for this reason. Joe Arpaio, Mike Chitwood, etc.
- ahmeneeroe-v2 1y agoThis is the primary critique of democracy, not just American sheriffs.
- alistairSH 1y agoWhile true, they're still accountable to their electorate. Their electorate just happens to love loudmouthed bullies.
- int_19h 1y agoIn Washington specifically we have Loren Culp, who breaks that trend - he was a Police Chief of Republic, WA rather than a sheriff.
- tremon 1y agoDid they break the trend, or expand the trent? Your post seems to imply the latter -- he was police chief rather than sheriff, but still a loud mouthed showboater? If it was about breaking the trend, I'd assume the example would be a sheriff with actual substance.