Bonding for Officers of the Law

Officers of the law usually swear to uphold an oath that makes them accountable for upholding the peace within a given jurisdiction. Along with this responsibility, they also have the power to apprehend criminals, as well as prevent and detect crimes. Because officers of the law must maintain public order, surety bonds hold them financially accountable for the decisions they make while performing their duties.

Officers of the law include, but are not limited to:

Why officers of the law must be bonded

Federal, state and local governments require law enforcement officers to be bonded so that anyone harmed by the wrongful acts of an officer has the ability to collect damages. Officers of the law have certain civil duties related to finances and properties that require a higher level of protection for citizens. Bonding holds them financially accountable should they choose to take advantage of their power.

Should officers of the law choose to misuse their power, claims can be filed against the bond. If the claim is validated, then the face value of the bond must be paid to the obligee—generally the state or local government.

Protection

Special insurance policies now protect most sheriffs and deputies against a myriad of potential charges. While bonding for officers of the law might sound indistinguishable from an insurance policy, it does not function the same as insurance does. If a valid claim is made against the bond, the officer will be required to pay the bond's full face value to make restitution for his or her error, not the bond company.

A recent increase in the professional attitudes of law enforcement officers has made the bonding process easier for those who qualify, as surety companies usually no longer have to consider especially hazardous underwriting conditions. In short, today’s bonding companies generally have a higher level of faith in officers of the law when they back them with surety bonds.

How do you get this type of bond?

Local and state requirements regarding the bonding of law enforcement officers vary. Sometimes local governments require their police chiefs to secure these bonds as well. Bonding companies execute this bond, and the experts at SuretyBonds.com are available to provide bonding for officers of the law.

How much does this bond cost?

Bonding costs vary by state for officers of the law based on the specific position held.

The cost of these bonds varies. If you qualify for standard credit markets you could expect to pay between 1-4%. If you need a bad credit, non-standard, surety bond market your annual premium could be anywhere between 5%-15%.