National Sheriff's Association
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The National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) is a U.S. trade association. Its stated purpose is to raise the level of professionalism among U.S.
sheriff A sheriff is a government official, with varying duties, existing in some countries with historical ties to England where the office originated. There is an analogous, although independently developed, office in Iceland that is commonly transla ...
s, their deputies and others in the fields of criminal justice and public safety. Since its founding in 1940, NSA has been the advocacy organization for the nation's sheriffs in Washington, D.C. Its Government Affairs Division, in conjunction with the Congressional Affairs Committee, develops the Association's policy positions and represents the Association before the United States Congress, the White House, and the various federal agencies.


Purpose

The NSA provides resources, technical assistance, opportunities for professional development, information, congressional
advocacy Advocacy is an Action (philosophy), activity by an individual or advocacy group, group that aims to influence decision making, decisions within political, economic, and social institutions. Advocacy includes activities and publications to infl ...
, to criminal justice practitioners. Its annual conferences provide networking opportunities, discussion, review and formation of the Association's national policy positions on critical criminal justice and homeland security issues, and training and seminars for the Nation's sheriffs and sheriff deputies. The NSA represents over 3,000 elected sheriffs nationwide and has a membership of over 22,000. Its headquarters is in Alexandria, Virginia.


History

The Articles of Incorporation for NSA were filed on September 26, 1940, with the Ohio Secretary of State. The first president was Sheriff Walter P. O'Neil. The National Sheriffs' Association badge has heraldic significance. According to their website, the shield denotes defense, protection, and faith. The
fasces Fasces ( ; ; a ''plurale tantum'', from the Latin word ''fascis'', meaning "bundle"; it, fascio littorio) is a bound bundle of wooden rods, sometimes including an axe (occasionally two axes) with its blade emerging. The fasces is an Italian symbo ...
denotes authority. The olive wreath denotes peace. The circle surrounding the emblem denotes eternity. The five points of the star denote friendship, guidance, honesty, integrity, and merit.


Key programs

*
Neighborhood Watch A neighborhood watch or neighbourhood watch (see spelling differences), also called a crime watch or neighbourhood crime watch, is an organized group of civilians devoted to crime and vandalism prevention within a neighborhood. The aim of neig ...
is a program to have citizens work with law enforcement to deter crime. *National Sheriffs' Institute (NSI) trains new sheriffs.


Leadership

The 2019-20 President of the Association is Sheriff Daron Hall, of the Davidson County (TN) Sheriff's Office. The 2018-19 President of the Association was Sheriff John Layton of Indiana.


See also

* Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies


References

{{Authority control + Law enforcement non-governmental organizations in the United States Organizations based in Alexandria, Virginia 1940 establishments in Virginia Government-related professional associations in the United States Organizations established in 1940