More Nevada Counties Join Independent ‘Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association’

Hundreds of people gathered in Elko City Park in Nevada to celebrate its newest members of a “constitutional sheriff” organization. The Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association says, “law enforcement powers held by the sheriff supersede those of any agent, officer, elected official or employee from any level of government when in the jurisdiction of the county.”

The association honored two of Nevada’s Northeastern sheriffs who joined the group with a plaque to highlight their new membership and become part of the group. Richard Mack, a former county sheriff from rural Arizona started the group in 2011.

The Associated Press reports:

The group believes county sheriffs have a duty to interpret and uphold the constitution that supersedes other elected officials up to the president. It is against federal gun laws and COVID restrictions and sees sheriffs as a final defense against government overreach.

The group has recruited support from local law enforcement for years. But in May and June, Elko and Lander County became the first two local governments to join the organization as members.

The counties passed resolutions and paid $2,500 for a lifetime membership in the organization, drawing the funds from donations instead of taxpayer dollars. It was not immediately known how the association plans to use the funds.

The resolutions state that “any conduct contrary to the United States Constitution, Declaration of Independence, or the Bill of Rights will be dealt with as criminal activity.”

“We maintain that no agency established by the U.S. Congress can develop its own policies or regulations which supersede the Bill of Rights or the Constitution, nor does the executive branch have the power to make law, overturn law or set aside law,” Elko County commissioners wrote in the unanimously approved resolution.

The association has grown in popularity among law enforcement officials and people skeptical of federal government overreach — particularly in states like Nevada where ranchers have clashed with federal land management. It has capitalized on hostility to restrictions put in place to contain the coronavirus.