In Los Angeles as in many other places, crime scenes are marked off by yellow tape stating: “Police Line, Do Not Cross.” And because there are many Spanish speakers, a translation is added: “Línea De Policía, No Cruzar.”

But the City of West Hollywood is patrolled by the Sheriff of Los Angeles County. There the yellow tape says: “Sheriff’s Line, Do Not Cross.” It adds: “Línea De Alguacil, No Cruzar.” That presents a problem.

In Spanish the word used for sheriff is alguacil. It is derived from Arabic al wazir, the assistant to a ruler. It was used for a variety of officials, none of whom were elected. The point is that there is no accurate translation for sheriff in Spanish, or in any other language. In no other country is a top law-enforcement official elected by the people.

Do you think, just possibly, there is a lesson here? In all other countries, including the British Commonwealth, law-enforcement officials are appointed by the government. Only in America do we elect someone with police powers. In all other countries, power flows from the government downward. Only in America does the power flow from the people upward. Let’s work to keep it that way.