A stupid question I'm sure...

**Crimebytes2** · 09-11-06, 07:49 PM

What is the difference between POLICE OFFICER and PEACE OFFICER? If there is none, why the two different terms? Thanks.

**jmur5074** · 09-11-06, 08:34 PM

Simply put....there isn't.

But TECHNICALLY....

A POLICE OFFICER is a specific title for a law enforcement officer that works in a municipality (city)

A PEACE OFFICER is any sworn Law Enforcement officer within the state. (Police Officer, Sheriff Deputy, Game Warden, State Trooper, SWAT, Investigator, etc, etc, etc.)

That's my understanding anyway

**timatoe127** · 09-11-06, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by jmur5074

Simply put....there isn't.

But TECHNICALLY....

A POLICE OFFICER is a specific title for a law enforcement officer that works in a municipality (city)

A PEACE OFFICER is any sworn Law Enforcement officer within the state. (Police Officer, Sheriff Deputy, Game Warden, State Trooper, SWAT, Investigator, etc, etc, etc.)

That's my understanding anyway

That's the way I understand it as well, in the California Penal code it references "Peace Officer" almost exclusively. However, looking back at the WTF thread, apparently that's not how it is in NY.

**TwanimusPrime** · 09-11-06, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by jmur5074

Simply put....there isn't.

But TECHNICALLY....

A POLICE OFFICER is a specific title for a law enforcement officer that works in a municipality (city)

A PEACE OFFICER is any sworn Law Enforcement officer within the state. (Police Officer, Sheriff Deputy, Game Warden, State Trooper, SWAT, Investigator, etc, etc, etc.)

That's my understanding anyway

Pretty much. As since I'm a fan of metaphors, think of it like this.

The term "Peace Officer" is an all inclusive term like the "Soda." While Police, Sheriff, Ranger, etc.. is like Pepsi, Coke, 7-Up, Dr Pepper, etc... While each item is a lil bit different, they are all Soda.

So while Deputies, Police, Rangers, etc.. all have diifferent jurisdictions and slightly different responsibilties, they are all Peace Officers.

**jmur5074** · 09-11-06, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by TwanimusPrime

The term "Peace Officer" is an all inclusive term like the "Soda." While Police, Sheriff, Ranger, etc.. is like Pepsi, Coke, 7-Up, Dr Pepper, etc... While each item is a lil bit different, they are all Soda.

ooh......

The metaphor had me assuming....but once you used the word "inclusive"...I knew it.

You went to college didn't you??

haha, j/k

**Ivory** · 09-11-06, 09:25 PM

Yep...... I agree with all of them

**121Traffic** · 09-11-06, 10:57 PM

Peace Officer, here in Colorado, has a pretty broad meaning. It encompasses people like sworn fire investigators, district attorneys, deputy district attornies, etc. POLICE officer is kind of a broad term, too, generally encompassing muni cops, sheriff's deputies (road deputies), and troopers, although most use their proper titles when describing their jobs.

We used to have different levels of peace officer, I, Ia, II, III, etc. as to differentiate different statutory powers that each had....i.e. district attorneys are not POST certified, therefore they can't carry firearms etc. I think, though, that's been chenged, although i could be wrong. Would have to check.

**Dinosaur32** · 09-11-06, 11:29 PM

Of course New York must be different. All members of agencies with Police Officer status have the same enforcement powers. Peace Officer status, on the other hand, covers a wide variety of sins. Some agencies, such as New York City and New York State correction Officers and New York State Court Officers have enforcement powers that approximate Police status. Other agencies, such as Tax Department Investigators or Weights and Measures Inspectors, have enforcement power limited to the nature of the laws regulated by their Department. To further confuse the issue, certain agencies with Peace Officer status have permission to use the word police in their title, for example, New York City Sanitation Police Officers are not Police Officers.

**bayern** · 09-12-06, 01:40 PM

Here in SC, it don't make no difference. However, I have heard that in sole other states there is a big difference, ie: Police Officers have powers of arrest; Peace Officers have powers of arrest AND authority to serve warrants. Just what I read someplace.