Iowa Sheriff

Is there really less job security for Sheriffs Offices compared to Police departments and Sheriff Department?

I'm aware, there is a diff. between sheriffs office and sheriffs department. Now, is it true that a newly appointed Sheriff can fire any deputy at will? Is it true that Police Departments and Sheriff Departments are more secure in terms of keeping your job than Sheriffs Offices? Thank you!

Public Comments

1. It certainly is true. I've seen it happen... A lot! I knew two Deputies from the same county that ran for Sheriff. One got elected and the other got fired two days after he took office because they didn't get along. The one that got fired was a Sergeant! The Sheriffs Departments are WAY too political for me.
2. Actually there is no difference between a sheriff's office or a sheriff's department other then the name. There was a political correct movement about 15 years ago to change all sheriff's departments and call them sheriff's office to sound more professional. The vast majority of law enforcement departments that I know of, have union contracts. This prohibits a new sheriff from firing deputies at will. Non union protected positions the sheriff can replace, ie supervisory positions. However under our union contract the sheriff just cannot fire them, they have to be moved back to their last union position in which they completed the probationary period. However, if the employees are not union protected, their employment is at will and therefore can be replaced.
3. The Job of Sheriff is an elected job within a given county. The Sheriff's patrol is within that county, except as designated by certain towns or cities, within that county. The police department is a part of that county but; is relegated authority to the town or city boundaries of it's jurisdiction. What use to be lines of jurisdiction still exist, but a more unified cooperation between departments exist, where boundaries are upon a line between jurisdictions. Again it is dependent upon the police chief and the Sheriff to work with each other, but some times a thing called AUTONOMY flairs up. In the 60's and 70's a Sheriff could fire you, if you did not vote for him in an election. Thank God the laws have changed. Civil Service, County Service or Personnel Service today, protects employees from influence, by a newly elected Sherif to fire without just cause or reasons, or to give patronage and nepatism to friends and relatives.
4. Traditionally the new sheriff fires the command staff and those who publicly opposed him during the election. Police departments are more secure as the chief doesn't have the authority to just fire the command staff, it can be done just more tactfully, I know been there done that. NOTE: WI is referring to the civil service-yes some are civil service but if you read the fine print it only protects the officers/deputies with rank of sgt- and below.