What term refers to the legal authority allowing law enforcement to enlist civilian assistance to maintain order?

• A. Hue and Cry
• B. Posse Comitatus
• C. Jury Nullification
• D. Shire-Reeve

Answer: (B)

Posse comitatus is the authority that lets a sheriff summon a posse, a group of able-bodied civilians, to assist in enforcing the law and keeping the peace within a county. This power is local and temporary, used when the ordinary police presence isn’t enough, and it reflects the idea that the community can be called upon to help maintain order under the sheriff’s command. The term comes from Latin, meaning “power of the county.” It’s distinct from the federal Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts using federal troops for civilian law enforcement; this question refers to civilian assistance at the local level. Other terms relate to different concepts: hue and cry is an old method of alerting and pursuing suspects, jury nullification is when jurors disregard the law in deciding a case, and shire-reeve is an historical name for the local sheriff.