 The office of Sheriff began in colonial times and has continued as an important part of local government throughout Virginia's history. Initially, the Sheriff was not only the chief law enforcement officer but also the election supervisor and tax collector. Today, the Sheriff's responsibilities cover a range of public safety functions that vary from locality to locality. - In most counties, sheriffs still provide all law enforcement services, including investigating crimes, pursuing offenders and making arrests. (In cities and large suburban counties, police departments handle these functions.) - Most sheriffs maintain the local jail, housing from a handful to hundreds of offenders awaiting trail or serving short sentences. The sheriff may also manage other local corrections programs and transport criminal defendants to and from corrections' facilities. - All Virginia sheriffs provide security in local courthouses, serve legal papers throughout their jurisdictions, summon jurors and witnesses, and execute court judgments. Sheriffs are assisted by deputy sheriffs, appointed by the
principal officer. |