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

“There is a law on the books, confirmed by the Constitution, called ‘posse comitatus,’” Pritzker told reporters earlier this month.

From Salon

“There is a law on the books, confirmed by the Constitution, called ‘posse comitatus,'” Pritzker said.

From Salon

Authorities back then could marshal a crew of civilians, called a posse comitatus, to assist them, as sometimes happened in California during the Gold Rush.

From Los Angeles Times

Constitutional sheriffs — an outgrowth of the white-nationalist posse comitatus movement — claim they are above federal and state government and are the ultimate arbiters of the law.

From Washington Post

Related is the "constitutional sheriffs" movement, which also tries to make itself sound more official by using the name "posse comitatus."

From Salon