Undersheriff
Encyclopedia
An Undersheriff is an office derived from ancient British practice and still extant in, among other places, the United Kingdom and the United States, though somewhat different forms.
, the Undersheriff is the person second in charge of a sheriff
's office. In some departments, the title of Undersheriff is official, while in others, a different title is used for the second person in charge. For example, in many small departments, the title of Chief Deputy is often used for the second in command; however, in some large departments, the Undersheriff is second in command and in turn oversees several Chiefs-Deputy. In some places, the Undersheriff is the prison warden of the county jail.
The New York City Sheriff's Office
has five undersheriffs: each one is responsible for a borough
of New York City, with the Sheriff of the City of New York overseeing all of them.
, the Undersheriff is the deputy of the High Sheriff
and is appointed directly by the High Sheriff. In practice, the undersheriff performs most of the legal functions of the sheriff for him. The same person (usually a solicitor) is appointed annually by successive sheriffs over many years, leaving the sheriff to perform the honorific functions of his office.
United States
In American law enforcementPolicing in the United States
Law enforcement in the United States is one of three major components of the criminal justice system of the United States, along with courts and corrections. Although there exists an inherent interrelatedness between the different groups that make up the criminal justice system based on their...
, the Undersheriff is the person second in charge of a sheriff
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 to law enforcement in the United States, sheriffs are usually elected. The political election of...
's office. In some departments, the title of Undersheriff is official, while in others, a different title is used for the second person in charge. For example, in many small departments, the title of Chief Deputy is often used for the second in command; however, in some large departments, the Undersheriff is second in command and in turn oversees several Chiefs-Deputy. In some places, the Undersheriff is the prison warden of the county jail.
The New York City Sheriff's Office
New York City Sheriff's Office
The New York City Sheriff's Office is the civil law enforcement division of the New York City Department of Finance. The Sheriff's office is headed by a sheriff, who is appointed to the position by the mayor, unlike most sheriffs in New York State who are elected officials...
has five undersheriffs: each one is responsible for a borough
Borough (New York City)
New York City, one of the largest cities in the world, is composed of five boroughs. Each borough now has the same boundaries as the county it is in. County governments were dissolved when the city consolidated in 1898, along with all city, town, and village governments within each county...
of New York City, with the Sheriff of the City of New York overseeing all of them.
United Kingdom
In the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the Undersheriff is the deputy of the High Sheriff
High Sheriff
A high sheriff is, or was, a law enforcement officer in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.In England and Wales, the office is unpaid and partly ceremonial, appointed by the Crown through a warrant from the Privy Council. In Cornwall, the High Sheriff is appointed by the Duke of...
and is appointed directly by the High Sheriff. In practice, the undersheriff performs most of the legal functions of the sheriff for him. The same person (usually a solicitor) is appointed annually by successive sheriffs over many years, leaving the sheriff to perform the honorific functions of his office.