Concept information
Preferred term
posses
Definition
- The term posse, from the medieval Latin posse comitatus, generally refers to the power associated with a group of men. Posse comitatus is defined as “A group of citizens who are called together to help the sheriff keep the peace or conduct rescue operations—Often shortened to posse.” Legal Basis of the Posse As a part of the compromise reached between northern and southern politicians at the end of Reconstruction, Congress agreed to limit future use of federal troops in local law enforcement matters by passing the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. [Source: The Social History of Crime and Punishment in America: An Encylopedia; Posses]
Broader concept
Belongs to group
URI
https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/posses
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