posse comitatus

[ pos-ee kom-i-tah-tuhs, -tey- ]

noun

1. the body of persons that a peace officer of a county is empowered to call upon for assistance in preserving the peace, making arrests, and serving writs.
2. a body of persons so called into service.

posse comitatus

/ ˌkɒmɪˈtɑːtəs /

noun

1. the formal legal term for posse

Word History and Origins

Origin of posse comitatus¹

1620–30; < Medieval Latin: posse of the county

Word History and Origins

Origin of posse comitatus¹

Medieval Latin: strength (manpower) of the county

Example Sentences

Under normal circumstances, the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 bars the U.S. military — including National Guard troops called into federal service — from taking part in domestic law enforcement.

From Los Angeles Times

You have sections addressing the era of slavery and Reconstruction, the "Posse Comitatus" movement and the recent phenomenon of the "constitutional sheriff."

From Salon

You begin in the 1970s with the Posse Comitatus movement, which then led to the "constitutional sheriff" movement.

From Salon

The founder of the Posse Comitatus movement, among other people, worked to promote this idea that sheriffs are this last line of defense against the overreach of the federal government.

From Salon

And Department of Defense policies assert that military officers have inherent authority to perform domestic law enforcement functions in certain emergency scenarios, notwithstanding the express prohibition in the Posse Comitatus Act.

From Slate