CookevilleTimes.com has compiled an executive summary of the position of Sheriff, referencing publications from the County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS).   The CTAS is a University of Tennessee-based organization with the purpose of helping Tennessee counties understand elected and appointed positions according to the Tennessee code.

Qualifying to be Sheriff:

- U.S. Citizen, 25 years or older, qualified voter in the county, high school diploma or equivalent

- must be fingerprinted and have the TBI search for any criminal record, be certified by a qualified professional to be free of all apparent mental disorders and possess a current and valid peace officer certification as issued by the Tennessee POST commission.  

- must not have been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or certain other listed offenses, and must not have been discharged, released, or separated from the armed forces with a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge or as a consequence of conviction at court martial.

- must, 14 days prior to the qualifying deadline, file an affidavit with the POST commission affirming that the candidate meets these requirements and a confirmation of psychological evaluation form certified by the professional who performed the evaluation before being eligible to be on the ballot for election.  

Getting into office:

The sheriff is elected by popular vote at the regular August election every four years coinciding with the governor’s election and takes office on September 1 following the election.

The sheriff, before taking office, must give a bond of $25,000 (or more if so determined by the county legislative body).  The bond is payable to the state of Tennessee and is conditioned on the faithful execution of all process directed to the sheriff, the proper payment of all fees and sums of money received by the sheriff to the proper office or person entitled and the faithful execution of the duties and functions of the office. The form of the official bond is prescribed by the comptroller of the treasury. Official bonds for all county officials are recorded in the county register’s office.

Additionally, within 40 days after election or 20 days after the term of office begins, the official bond must be filed in the office of the comptroller of the treasury.  The county pays the premiums and registration fees for official bonds.

Compensation:
The minimum compensation for sheriffs is set by Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-24-102, and is based on county population.   The minimum salary of the sheriff is 10 percent greater than the salary of county general officers such as the trustee. 

For counties with 50,000-64,999 people (Putnam County's current category, using the 2000 census), the minimum salary is $76,407 for fiscal year 2010-2011. 

If the census rises, the salary rises accordingly.  For instance, if the 2010 census shows Putnam County with a population of 65,000-99,000, the salary would likely be closer to $79,436.

Job Duties:

- appoint personnel provided for in the budget adopted by the county legislative body.  The county cannot adopt a budget without the the consent of the sheriff that reduces salaries below current levels or reduces the number of employees in the sheriff’s office.

- If a sheriff cannot properly and efficiently conduct the statutory duties of the office within the budget adopted by the county legislative body, the sheriff may make application to the circuit court judge of the county (or criminal court if one has been established in the county) for deputies and assistants. A newly elected sheriff has 30 days after taking office to file a petition for deputies and assistants; otherwise, this petition, if filed, must be filed within 30 days of the final adoption of a budget for the fiscal year.  
 
- prevent crimes, investigate criminal conduct that has occurred, and arrest criminals.

- be thoroughly acquainted with the Tennessee criminal code. 

-develop a good working relationship with the staff of the district attorney general’s office. Sheriffs also serve as jailers and many serve as superintendent of the county workhouse (the jail is also the workhouse). County jails are responsible for the housing of misdemeanant prisoners.

- May also be responsible for housing of state prisoners in county jail (persons convicted of felony offenses) due to lack of
space in state prison facilities.  Must manage and obtaining state reimbursement for expenses associated with housing state prisoners.

- dispose of contraband, abandoned motor vehicles, and unlawful weapons.

-execute and return civil orders of the courts of record and general sessions courts.

- serve subpoenas, execute writs of possession, levy writs of execution (which involve taking property to satisfy judgments), serve garnishments, and serve orders of protection. 
 

Other Capabilities and Skills:

- office management

- knowledge of workplace law and conflict of interest, ethics and disclosure laws

- knowledge of Tennessee and Federal laws

- investigation skills

- oral and written communication skills

- strong decision making and problem solving skills