The Sheriffs duties fall into four categories -- tax collection, election duties, services to courts and law enforcement.

The Sheriff and three other elected county officials -- coroners, jailers and constables -- are peace officers, possessing law enforcement powers (KRS 446.010).

These powers include a broad grant of authority to make arrest. Under the authority of KRS 431.005, any Sheriff or deputy sheriff may make an arrest:

In obedience to a warrant;

Without a warrant when a felony is committed in his presence;

Without a warrant when he has probable cause to believe the person arrested has committed a felony;

Without a warrant when a misdemeanor, defined in KRS 431.060 has been committed in his presence; or

Without a warrant when harassment, criminal trespass in the 3^rd degree and certain traffic violations are committed in his presence, or if he has probable cause to believe that a person is driving under the influence of alcohol or any other substance which may impair his driving ability.