Final answer:
Sheriffs are elected at the county level to enforce the law, playing a vital role in maintaining public safety and administering justice within the county's jurisdiction.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the county level, sheriffs are elected to enforce the law. County governments perform various functions, which usually include maintaining law and order through the work of the sheriff. In most counties, this role encompasses a range of responsibilities such as overseeing the county jail, patrolling unincorporated areas, and sometimes providing law enforcement services to cities without their own police departments. Sheriffs, as elected officials, play a crucial role in the administration of county justice and public safety. They work in tandem with other county officials like the county clerk, the assessor, the treasurer, the coroner, and the engineer to ensure effective governance and provision of county services. Moreover, the commission system is the most common form of county government, where elected commissioners have sweeping powers, including the hiring and firing of county officials.