Therefore, we have listed on this page some general information about the various jobs. Local Law Enforcement Local law enforcement consists of the city police department and the county sheriff's office. City police officers are responsible for enforcing local and state laws within the city limits. New recruits usually spend time on the street patrolling a certain area of the city. After several years on the job, they are then eligible for a promotion to the rank of sergeant, lieutenant, detective, SWAT team, etc.
Deputy sheriffs are responsible for enforcing the laws within the county in which they work.
This can include the city limits, but their work usually takes them into more rural areas. In most states, the sheriff is responsible for housing local prisoners. Some sheriffs' offices require that a deputies also work in the jail as well as on the street. Other sheriffs' departments see this as two separate functions, corrections and policing, and do not require their deputies to work in the jail. Most sheriffs' offices follow a career ladder of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, etc.