The National Sheriffs' Association (NSA)

The National Sheriffs' Association, now in its sixty-eighth year of serving law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals of the nation, is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising the level of professionalism among those in the criminal justice field.

Through the years, NSA has provided programs for Sheriffs, their deputies, chiefs of police, and others in the field of criminal justice to perform their jobs in the best possible manner and to better serve the people of their cities, counties or jurisdictions. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When and where was NSA established?

The Articles of Incorporation for NSA were filed on September 26, 1940, with the Secretary of State for the State of Ohio.

2. How many Sheriff's Offices are there in the U.S.?

3,085 as of December 31, 2008.

3. Are there states that do not have Sheriff's Offices?

Yes. Three states that do not have Sheriff's Offices:

1. Alaska. No county governments.
2. Connecticut. Sheriffs have been replaced with a State Marshal System.
3. Hawaii. There are no Sheriffs in Hawaii but Deputy Sheriffs serve in the Sheriff's Division of the Hawaii Department of Public Safety.

4. What is the difference between a Sheriff and a Police Chief?

A Sheriff is generally (but not always) the highest, usually elected, law-enforcement officer of a county. Chiefs of Police usually are municipal employees who owe their allegiance to a city. Oftentimes, Chiefs are appointed by the Mayor of a city; or, they may be appointed by or subject to the confirmation of a Police Commission. Go to:  /about/CountyPolicevElectedSheriff.asp  (County_Police_v_Elected_Sheriff.pdf)

5. How long is the term of office for a Sheriff?

Sheriffs are elected to four-year terms in 41 states, two-year terms in three states, a three-year term in one state and a six-year term in one state. Go to: (State-by-State_Election_Chart.pdf)

6. What is the difference between a Sheriff's Office and a Sheriff's Department? 

Go to: /about/SheriffsOfficevSheriffsDepartment.asp   (SheriffsOfficevSheriffsDepartment.pdf)

7. How many members does NSA Have?

As of December 31, 2008, NSA has more than 20,000 members. For Membership Benefits, go to: Member Benefits

8. Who is the current President of NSA?

Sheriff John E. Zaruba, DuPage County, Illinois

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9. What does the National Sheriffs' Association badge signify?

The National Sheriffs' Association badge has heraldic significance.  The shield denotes defense, protection, and faith. The mace denotes authority.  The olive wreath denotes peace. The circle surrounding the emblem denotes eternity. The five points of the star denote friendship, guidance, honesty, integrity, and merit.