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Main Page Powers of the Sheriff in NH
(Click here to view the original thread on the MassCops Message Board)

Posted by: Varanus224

Although I maybe redirected to the NH forum from which i can survey is scantly used, I ask the question of what is the role of the sheriff and more specifically sheriff deputies in NH. DO they have more power then deputies here and have patrol sections or do they have the same role as the sheriff dept in MA
****For the sake of sanity, in no way am I trying to spark a debate of the situation here in MA, Im sure its been gone over enough********

Posted by: Deputydog522

In NH the Sheriffs patrol areas. In Massachusetts they are basically corrections except for certain counties like Plymouth County. They have specialized units like BCI who investigate and help out the local departments. Sheriffs in Mass do not have motor vehicle enforcement.

Posted by: rg1283

Some Sheriffs in NH provide just Dispatching and the NHSP Do the work. Rockingham County for an example I think Provide an armed Deputy for Court Security (something that is non existant in MA), have an Airport Police unit at Manchester Airport. As far as Rockingham County Patrolling, I think most of the Counties in Rockingham, NH have Police Depts. The NH SP (or so I saw on Real Stories) along with most towns use the County Jail as a Regional Lock-up I think. The more North you get the more rural it gets and I think more Sheriff's Departments Patrol out there.

Posted by: squad leader

The Sheriffs Depts in NH control court security and do more patrolling in areas where they do not have full time local police departments. Unlike in MA, the Sheriffs Depts. in NH have no control or direct connection to the county jails other than prisoner transport. If that makes any sense....Very rare will you see an opening for Deputy in NH.

Posted by: County 5-0

Quote:

Originally Posted by Varanus224

Although I maybe redirected to the NH forum from which i can survey is scantly used, I ask the question of what is the role of the sheriff and more specifically sheriff deputies in NH. DO they have more power then deputies here and have patrol sections or do they have the same role as the sheriff dept in MA
****For the sake of sanity, in no way am I trying to spark a debate of the situation here in MA, Im sure its been gone over enough********

Spark all you want...There’s a lot to be said for a good debate! For starters let me refer you to chapter 104 of the New Hampshire statutes. There you will find the statutory authority given to sheriffs in the state of New Hampshire. Go to this link and type "sheriff" in the space provided and see for yourself. Most of the NH laws concerning sheriffs will be returned.

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/indexes/search.html

In comparison you can go to chapter 37 of the Massachusetts General Laws and review the statutory authority given to our sheriffs. Albeit there are some antique laws because the sheriff’s statutory powers haven’t evolved…but the case law has as the common law has always existed.

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/mgllink.htm

You will see that the NH legislature has included sheriffs with "police" in its statutes but they have less of a role as "keeper of the Jail". In Massachusetts sheriffs and police started out with similar origins but have evolved into two distinct entities through political legislation. Our sheriffs obviously run the jails and houses of correction with less of a "police" function, i.e. patrol, MV law enforcement and 911 due to population density and there are no unincorporated municipal teritories in the commonwealth encouraging a county sheriff to step up. The Massachusetts legislation and common law does give sheriffs broad and vague authority as "keeper of the peace". It’s under this authority that the sheriffs perform law enforcement, usually support services to the local police or to a very small degree independently. Some departments more so than others, depending on funding and how assertive the sheriff wants to be. The trend in Massachusetts now is the expansion of the sheriff’s role in law enforcement and public safety with illegal immigrant enforcement and the aftermath of 9-11 and the sense and practicality of regionalized services at the county level and the law enforcement council concept. This ideology is working its way into Massachusetts from outside influences like FEMA and federal grant money that sees the logic in using the sheriffs. Just look at the equipment and resources they have acquired for public safety. This is creating discord with the established “police world” that have become accustomed to not seeing Massachusetts sheriffs exercise their powers. In the next 10 to 20 years as the immigrant population increases, the economy dives even more, the threat of terrorism continues and municipalities find it more difficult to provide services to the public you will see the sheriffs step up and become creative in protecting the public, which they are sworn to do. They will do this WITH the police chiefs. The Mass SP are threatened by this

because the vast majority of people in the commonwealth believe government is best served at the local and elected level. They don’t want to see a ‘police state” so don't feed into the BS you will see on this site. The sour disgruntled fellas trapped on the hiway aren't calling the shots and have nothing to gain from it...only the public and our communities do...and they're the ones that really matter. Don't you think? Massachusetts sheriffs have full "POLICE" powers (but no ticket books…yet) it has been proven already

Posted by: bbelichick

"County 5-0"-

Have you ever considered the fact that you are a dork?

Just asking.

Posted by: k9sheriff

County 5-0,alot of what you said is true,but don't waste your breath on this web site.Things will evolve for sheriff's, but only to a certain degree.Until the Mass Legislature decides to change the wording for sheriff's powers there won't be much of a change.Remember that the police unions are very strong and hold alot of sway.If the 14 High sheriff's wanted, they could easily have the wording changed with regards to the Legislative language.It would be nothing more than the swipe of a pen.There are many small police departments that are in serious trouble with finances and the MSP cannot cover evey town.My department just donated a car to a local department to help them out.The thing is, is that we all have to work together.I certainly don't want to see any police officers lose their job due to budget cuts.From my prior posts you should know where I stand.If things change, so be it.But for now it is what it is.

Posted by: j809

Yeah Ok County. You see the Chapter 90 Bill that just barely passed for State & Community Colleges. They are police, always were and they barely got it through because, SPAM, Mass Chiefs and other Unions allowed it to happen. If there is EVER any sheriff legislation that gives them more power, IT WILL NEVER happen, trust me on this. Meanwhile, focus all your energy on getting on a police department the right way and stop being a hack because of your lack of abilities to get a real job.

Posted by: Inspector

The Sheriff and his/her deputies have complete police powers throughout the State of New Hampshire, regardless of which county they are sworn. For the most part Sheriffs are responsible for prisoner transport, court security and also patrol duties in most New Hampshire counties. They provide supportive services, dispatching, equipment and manpower assistance to local departments, conduct fugitive investigations throughout the state, and assist with security during political and other public events. They have been called upon to assist local police units on day-to-day responses in many of the ten counties. Rockingham no longer does airport security at Manchester (they lost that contract to Londonderry P.D.) The Sheriffs now separate correctional staff from the regular staff of deputies as certification is different. Deputy sheriffs do oversee community service correctional programs, deliver civil process as well as criminal, and must maintain certification as police officers in order to continue working. They may enforce traffic rules on all roads.Strafford County places a motorcycle unit on roads when State Police Troop A is running short of troopers! Most Sheriffs make sure they check with Police Chiefs and State Troopers before sending deputies into any operations as they consider good relations and communication important. Sheriffs in Strafford County also work with the U.S. Marshal Service in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont transporting prisoners, helping with federal court and witness security and with major fugitive roundups like Operation Falcon.

Posted by: KozmoKramer

Great first post Inspector.
Folks - please keep this thread on topic; specific to Sheriffs Deputies in NH.

Posted by: phuzz01

The Sheriff's Deputies in my county have PRIMARY responsibilities of prisoner transport and serving civil process. However, they do have full police powers, and will occasionally make a car stop here and there. In addition, one town in my county has contracted with the Sheriff's Department for part-time patrol coverage (8 hours per day, 5 days per week). NHSP covers that town the rest of the time, as well as all the other towns in the county without 24 hour local police coverage.

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