Flora Scott: Pay more attention to who we elect to the sheriff’s office

This commentary is by Flora Scott, of Waterbury. She was an actress and writer in New York City and the Washington, D.C., area.

Say, hypothetically speaking, you were in a situation where there was abuse that left you feeling amputated from the only source of protection you knew to turn to for help because the violation had been perpetrated by one of their own.

What if your kid gets pulled over driving your car and your car suddenly belongs to the county because the passenger had some drugs hidden in his pocket?

Remember that time in college you watched your roommate get his drunk butt kicked in by the cop breaking up a barroom brawl? You felt so helpless.

Addison County Sheriff’s Department

A sheriff is not a bureaucratic appointee and does not represent the federal government. Rather, your sheriff is a representative of the people and works for the people of his county. He can be the most powerful defender of your liberty. His duty is to protect the rights of the people from all unlawful acts, even if those acts are carried out under the guise of law by the government itself.

I was once assaulted after an arrest for drunken driving by an officer while in custody.

What if the perpetrator is, in fact, a member of a brotherhood responsible for protecting, defending and preserving your civil liberties? Who do you turn to when the police aren’t an option?

Lately there’s been a lot of talk about defunding the police. And there are some strong cases for demilitarizing our local authorities. But when it comes to protecting and serving, is there a way to counterbalance the men and women who volunteer to step into dangerous situations on our behalf?

Let’s face it: We aren’t computers (yet). There are going to be bad cops, dishonest mechanics, greedy lawyers, pedophile teachers, slumlords and the list goes on and on. But as far as the police go, how can we ensure our safety is not being jeopardized while limiting misconduct?

History gives us many examples of might over rights. Robin Hood is the well known story of a man who fought this trend by protecting the people by fighting the corruption of his officials. Did you know that Robin Hood is a forerunner of our modern-day sheriff, who is the highest elected local law enforcement officer.

A sheriff is not a bureaucratic appointee and does not represent the federal government. Rather, your sheriff is a representative of the people and works for the people of his county. He can be the most powerful defender of your liberty. His duty is to protect the rights of the people from all unlawful acts, even if those acts are carried out under the guise of law by the government itself. The sheriff takes an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.

When elections come around again, elect a sheriff who would have sat down next to Rosa Parks on the bus. When elections come around again, make sure you feel safe in your sheriff’s county, no matter who is holding the highest elected office. That’s right: The president cannot issue any executive order that is constitutionally or legally binding upon your sheriff. His oath is to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the United States only.

It just leaves me wondering why we would want to defund the police and not simply pay more attention to who we elect to the sheriff’s office and utilize our modern-day Robin Hoods.

Images courtesy of Vermont Sheriffs' Association and Addison County Sheriff’s Department

7 thoughts on “Flora Scott: Pay more attention to who we elect to the sheriff’s office

  1. “The Sheriff takes an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.”

    No, no they don’t. Federal officials and military do, but that is kind of irrelevant and actually oppositional to what I think is your point.

    The sheriff’s oath is defined in Section 56 of the Constitution of Vermont. I’ve pasted it below for your convenience. This piece is some silly sovereign citizen stuff that will put some unfortunate law enforcement officer in the position of having to shoot some lunatic who thinks a court has no jurisdiction because its flag has tassels or some other conspiracy junk. Not helping.

    OATH OF ALLEGIANCE; OATH OF OFFICE
    § 56. [OATHS OF ALLEGIANCE AND OFFICE]
    Every officer, whether judicial, executive, or military, in authority under this State, before entering upon the execution of office, shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation of allegiance to this State, (unless the officer shall produce evidence that the officer has before taken the same) and also the following oath or affirmation of office, except military officers, and such as shall be exempted by the Legislature.

    The Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance

    You __________ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will be true and faithful to the State of Vermont, and that you will not, directly or indirectly, do any act or thing injurious to the Constitution or Government thereof . (If an oath) So help you God . (If an affirmation) Under the pains and penalties of perjury .

    • Thanks for posting this – was personally unaware of these intricasies but there it is 😀

  2. I contacted our local sheriff @ Washington County a year ago. He was quite evasive when it came to my questioning him…as to whether he supported the Constitution. He then added his role was mostly about dealings with drunk drivers and such.

  3. We need those who understand and will enforce our Constitutions in ALL government offices. We see the consequences of this gross shortcoming in abilities currently….

    Great piece!

    • .Check out Mike Lindell interview on Alex Jones. He’s inches away from releasing (Aug 10-12) 2020 election fraud data not as yet seen

Comments are closed.