[Pred]

Friday I ran into two of my soon to be superiors, including the jailer. So they were asking me if I was looking forward to starting at the jail and I happened to ask them if I would be peace officer because I know you carry when you transport and I cant see a plain old citizen being able to do that. He told me yes, I would be sworn in as a peace officer, but then he said although some of the guys that work at the jail think their police officers. Does the difference vary from state to state? What is the difference between the two anyways?

[Beer Forever]

I thought to be a police officer you have to go through extensive training: driving, shooting, hand to hand, foot persuite, getting pepper sprayed, tasered, and so many other things. My hat goes off to them because of how hard they train and what goes into it. They have to stand there and let other officer pepper spray them and taser them and they have to just take it? Plus, the oath to protect and serve American citizens.

I think what you are doing now would be a perfect prerequiset for becoming a police officer, testing the waters. IS that what you want to do, become an officer? I think you'd make a good detective.

[Pred]

I'd like to get on at our Sheriffs department. I'm good friends with the old sheriff, and the new sheriff was his deputy for many years, so a good word would go a long way. On top of that, I've been friends with the current jailer for a few years now too. Theres been talk that down the road he might run for sheriff. Right now he's won two terms in a row.

[Shaun]

depending on the perspective in PRK the term was interchangeable for police or Peace officer.

[Beer Forever]

you guys would know more than me, but I try to but in and make myself feel smart

[Rave]

Yesser,I like to stick my bill in a bit too,although it sometimes probably isn't appreciated,if that's the case,sorry.

[Apollyon67]

In the Great (cough cough) county of Charles in Maryland, there are Correctional Officers that go through training specifically for the Detention Facilities then there are the Sworn Officers that require at a minimum 6 months of training overall to become cops.

[whirlwind]

i knew one guard here at a local prison and we got to talking about this very thing. he said the comparison of correctional officer to police officers was like comparing a big game hunter and a zoo keeper. they deal with the same animals...just a differant location

[Gyrene]

In California, there are Department of Corrections Officers, and Police Officers, with many of the Department of Corrections Officers wanting everybody to believe they are Police Officers. The Police Officers prefer that people understand that the two are not the same, and should not be confused.

DOJ documentation sometimes refers to Police Officers as Peace Officers, and other times only as Police Officers. It probably depends upon who wrote the Law.

[oneastrix]

In Texas Peace Officer if the over all term for all law enforcement. Deputy Sheriff's, Municipal Police Officers, School District Police Officers, State Troopers etc are all Peace Officers......In San Antonio alone we have 42 separate law enforement agancies in the "metro" area alone....all are Peace Officers first and foremost.

[JBS]

Ain't got a clue. Don't want a clue. Spent all my life attempting avoidance of both. Been successful...most of the time.

[Oxford]

Indian tribal chiefs might be considered as peace officers. Just think...years ago they sometimes sat around the council fire and smoked peace pipes trying to settle issues.