Constable vs. Sheriff vs. Police Badges: Understanding Authority & Jurisdiction Differences

Three Offices, Three Badge Traditions

The American law enforcement landscape features three primary office types, each with distinct historical roots, authority structures, and badge traditions. Understanding these differences matters whether you are ordering badges for a new department, replacing worn credentials, or identifying who holds jurisdiction. Constables trace their lineage to medieval England, sheriffs emerged as county-level authorities in colonial America, and organized police departments appeared in the mid-1800s starting with cities like Boston and New York.

Each office developed its own badge design conventions over more than 170 years. These conventions are not merely decorative. A star versus a shield communicates different legal authority. The number of star points carries regional significance. Eagle-top configurations denote rank differently than circle-mounted designs. For procurement officers, understanding these traditions ensures the badges they order reflect the proper authority of the office they represent.

The Constable: America’s Oldest Law Enforcement Badge

Constables represent the oldest form of law enforcement in the English-speaking world, predating both sheriffs and organized police forces. The office traces to the Norman Conquest of 1066, when the “comes stabuli” (count of the stable) evolved into a community peace officer. Today, constable authority varies enormously by state, from full law enforcement powers in Texas to primarily civil process duties in Connecticut. The constable star badge typically features a five or six-point star similar to sheriff designs but always bears “CONSTABLE” prominently to distinguish the office.

In Texas, where constable authority is strongest, over 750 elected constables serve 254 counties. Texas constables are fully commissioned peace officers who carry precinct-designated constable badges with arrest powers identical to police and sheriff deputies. They patrol precincts, serve warrants, investigate crimes, and run traffic enforcement. The five-point constable star worn by a Harris County constable deputy carries the same legal weight as any police badge in the state. Pennsylvania constables fill a different role, carrying traditional constable badges while serving primarily as court officers handling warrants and civil process. For detail on constable rank structures, see our guide to detective constable designations.

The Sheriff: Stars, County Seals & Elected Authority

The sheriff holds a unique position as the chief law enforcement officer of the county, typically elected directly by citizens. This elected status sets the sheriff apart from appointed police chiefs and is reflected in badge traditions. Sheriff star badges represent one of the most iconic symbols in American law enforcement. The star shape carries historical significance traced to the frontier era when sheriffs fashioned badges from tin stars. Different point counts reflect regional traditions persisting for over a century.

Five-point stars dominate western states, while six-point stars appear across the Midwest and South. Seven-point stars carry particular prestige in states like California. The 7-point sheriff star badge signifies California tradition, while the pointed seven-star design and traditional seven-point star serve neighboring jurisdictions. In Texas, the oval-mounted sheriff badge and five-point sheriff star reflect distinct county traditions. Midwestern offices favor the rounded-edge sheriff star and Illinois-style sheriff badge with state seal details.

Major offices develop distinctive badge identities. The Cook County Sheriff badge in Chicago features a unique six-point star design specific to Illinois tradition, while the Faulkner County, Arkansas badge maintains a five-point star with county seal engraving. Modern variations include the ribbon-mounted sheriff star, the California-style pointed star, the ribbon-detail sheriff star, and the round-mounted sheriff design. For ceremonial occasions, premium finishes including 24-karat gold plating elevate badge presentation.

Deputy sheriff badges represent the largest procurement volume for sheriff offices. Standard configurations include star-in-circle deputy badges for western counties, six-point deputy star designs for the Midwest, and seven-point deputy stars for California-tradition departments. Senior deputies wear eagle-top deputy badges and traditional eagle-top configurations denoting supervisory authority. Specialized deputy badges include rounded-edge star badges for corrections, circle-banner six-point designs for court security, and ribbon-accent seven-point stars for honor guard details.

The Police Officer: Municipal Badges & Department Identity

Unlike elected sheriffs and constitutional constables, police officers serve appointed positions within municipal departments. This distinction shapes badge design significantly. While sheriffs favor stars, police badges demonstrate far greater variety in shape, reflecting each department’s unique identity. Shield badges dominate the East Coast, star badges prevail in the West and South, and oval badges appear across the Midwest. Every department creates its own badge identity within these broad traditions.

Police badge design reflects rank hierarchy more explicitly than sheriff or constable badges. Entry-level officers carry standard-issue police badges with their badge number prominently displayed. Promotions bring increasingly ornate designs, from detective-level badges to supervisor-grade designs and command-staff badges. Senior leadership wear chief-level badge configurations and commissioner-style badges instantly recognizable within the department.

Regional traditions further distinguish police badges. The eagle-top police badge serves hundreds of departments nationwide, while six-point star police designs dominate Texas departments. Star-in-circle police badges appear commonly in California, and the banner-ribbon star design appeals to departments wanting a distinctive look. For detective divisions, the detective bureau badge and investigative division badge carry configurations distinct from patrol officers.

Side-by-Side Badge Comparison

Jurisdiction & Authority Differences Explained

The practical implications of badge authority become clear during multi-agency operations. When a crime occurs in an unincorporated county area, the sheriff’s office holds primary jurisdiction. Inside a city, municipal police take the lead. Cross-jurisdictional situations require coordination, and each officer’s badge communicates their authority scope. Sheriff department accessories like shoulder identification patches and department uniform patches provide secondary identification, while headwear including sheriff-marked hats, department beanies, short-style sheriff beanies, and cold weather sheriff headwear complete the uniform program. For a comprehensive overview, read our sheriff vs. police comparison guide.

The complete sheriff badge collection allows offices to maintain design consistency from the elected sheriff through every rank of deputy, corrections, and court security. This visual consistency matters when the public needs to identify all members of the same agency, especially during events requiring multi-agency response where constable, sheriff, and police badges must be quickly distinguished.

Ordering Badges for Your Office

Whether you are a newly elected constable, a sheriff outfitting deputies, or a police chief establishing badge standards, the ordering process follows similar steps. Our department badge ordering guide covers the full process. Standard manufacturing takes 8-12 weeks from design approval plus 4-7 days shipping. Key considerations include badge material selection (brass, nickel, gold-plated), design elements (seals, engravings, enamel fills), and volume pricing.

For departments concerned about badge authentication, our guide on how to verify a police badge covers the security features distinguishing genuine badges. Understanding badge numbering systems also helps agencies coordinate their schemes to avoid multi-agency confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Articles