What is the difference between a Fresno police officer and a Fresno County Sheriff?

Answer 1

In general, when there is both a Police Department and a Sheriff's Department, an area has grown to the point that there is a need for a distinction to be made in job responsibility. While both are Law Enforcement officers, the Police Department is responsible for enforcement of criminal and traffic laws, and the investigation of crimes, and the arrest of persons charged with those crimes. The Sheriff will provide security for the courts in that area, operate the jail, and serve papers in civil matters, such as evictions, lawsuits, divorces, etc. Both have arrest powers, and their jobs may overlap to some degree.

In the Fresno area the county sheriff only has jurisdiction over county areas and county islands in Fresno. The city of Fresno PD officer only has jurisdiction over events in the city of Fresno. Sometimes, they will combine people to form as task force with other agencies in the area. In dealing with both departments as a citizen of Fresno it can sometimes be very hard to have either department help with a legal matter. If it happened in an county island in the city neither department will do a report. They kick it back to the other department. Thus, nothing gets done.