The role of sheriff is unique in American law enforcement, as it has always belonged to the people, who exercise their right to choose the leaders they trust. Utah Amendment C will ensure that this right is safeguarded within our state’s constitution, preserving a long-standing tradition that upholds accountability in law enforcement. By enshrining this right, sheriffs will continue to answer to the people they serve — not appointing officials — while protecting the community’s voice in law enforcement for generations to come. As your sheriffs, we believe this is a right worth protecting.
The office of sheriff carries a legacy that stretches back over 1,000 years to England, where the “shire reeve” was responsible for law enforcement. This time-honored tradition made its way to America with the early colonists, and by 1651, Virginia became the first colony to elect its sheriffs, laying the foundation for accountability through democratic elections. Since Utah’s statehood in 1896, this practice has remained a cornerstone of local governance, empowering communities to elect sheriffs who understand and can address local issues.