§ 17E-1. Findings and policy. - North Carolina Statutes

Chapter17E.

North Carolina Sheriffs'Education and Training Standards Commission.

§ 17E‑1.  Findings andpolicy.

The General Assembly finds anddeclares that the office of sheriff, the office of deputy sheriff and the otherofficers and employees of the sheriff of a county are unique among all of thelaw‑enforcement offices of North Carolina. The administration of criminaljustice has been declared by Chapter 17C of the General Statutes to be ofstatewide concern to the people of the State. The sheriff is the only officerof local government required by the Constitution. The sheriff, in addition tohis criminal justice responsibilities, is the only officer who is alsoresponsible for the courts of the State, and acting as their bailiff andmarshall. The sheriff administers and executes criminal and civil justice andacts as the ex officio detention officer.

The deputy sheriff has beenheld by the Supreme Court of this State to hold an office of special trust andconfidence, acting in the name of and with powers coterminous with hisprincipal, the elected sheriff.

The offices of sheriff anddeputy sheriff are therefore of special concern to the public health, safety,welfare and morals of the people of the State. The training and educationalneeds of such officers therefore require particularized and differentialtreatment from those of the criminal justice officers certified under Chapter17C of the General Statutes. (1983, c. 558, s. 1; 1995, c.103, s. 1.)