Notice! This article contains spoilers for Silo season 2.
Although both the Judicial and Sheriff's Offices wield immense power in the central underground city of Silothey seem to have different responsibilities. Given that there are many political connotations SiloIn the show's overarching plot, the show has always created clear divisions between the scales of power of the various institutions and segments that run Silo 18. However, despite drawing these distinctions between the governing forces, the Apple TV+ sci-fi show also intentionally blurred the lines at times and confused viewers about who is more powerful than who.
For example, in Silo In the first season, it was initially difficult not to believe that the mayor was at the top of the power hierarchy. However, as the story progressed, it became apparent that the Head of IT, Bernard, was pulling all the strings behind the scenes and had access to many forbidden sections of the Silo. Unlike the original Hugh Howey Silo books, the Apple TV+ show also emphasized the role of the Judiciary and the Sheriff in power dynamics, making it difficult not to question how much authority they hold in Silo 18.
The Judicial Department and the Sheriff's Department are Silo's two law enforcement agencies
Both departments maintain order in Silo 18
Given that maintaining law and order is essential in Silo 18, it is not surprising that both the Judicial Department and the Sheriff's Department play a crucial role in ensuring the legal stability of the underground city. Although their responsibilities are different, both, directly or indirectly, has to ensure that the people in the Silo remain compliant and do not have access to anything that is beyond their rights under the Covenant. When it comes to their locations in the Silo, the two departments and their various sections are spread across several upper levels of the Silo.
The Judicial Offices are mainly located on the 14th floor of the Silo. Meanwhile, the main Sheriff's station is on the top floor of the underground city. Sheriff Holston Becker initially led the sheriff's department, but was replaced by Julliete after he voluntarily left the Silo. After Juliette's departure, Paul Billings took over the role. In the Judiciary, Judge Meadows was the main figure before Bernard murdered her and replaced her with Robert Sims.
Who oversees the Judiciary and Sheriff's Office in Silo
Bernard maintains control over both
Although the Judge and Sheriff are the main figures behind their respective departments, Mayor Bernard seems to have complete control over what they do and how they handle things. Although the Judge was initially established to be second in command to the Mayor, Silo The first season finally revealed that Meadows had little to no control over major decisions at the Silo. Despite this, most of the Silo's ordinary citizens believe that the Judiciary wields immense power, explaining why Juliette initially turns to Judge Meadows for help. Silo season 1.
When it comes to the members of the sheriff's department, they loyally follow the mayor's orders, even when the orders are seemingly questionable and against their own sense of justice. Like the Judiciary, the Sheriff's department presents itself as an independent body that guarantees the safety of citizens. However, as seen in Silo In Season 2, Bernard keeps them wrapped around his finger and catches up when the invaders, who serve as the oversight arm of the Judiciary, fail to achieve the desired goals and results.
How the Judiciary and the Sheriff Operate Differently in the Silo
They have significantly different responsibilities
As established in SiloJudiciary agents are primarily responsible for enforcing the Covenant, monitoring unsanctioned relationships, and categorizing and sanctioning relics. The Judiciary decides whether a relic is safe enough for a citizen to keep or whether it needs to be protected as a restricted red relic that no one can access. The Silo's main department also appears to have control over the attackers. However, Silo the second season seems to establish that the invaders are led by the Chief of Security, who directly follows Mayor Bernard's orders.
However, when it comes to having the final say on the punishment and sentence of an arrested citizen, the Judicial Judge makes the final decision.
The Sheriff's department appears to perform full investigative procedures whenever someone breaks Silo laws or commits a serious crime. People involved with the department also have to make arrests when someone goes against the law or ends up getting into bad favor with the mayor. However, when it comes to having the final say on the punishment and sentence of an arrested citizen, the Judicial Judge makes the final decision. This would explain why Judge Meadows was able to reduce Lukas' Minas sentence by Silo first episodes of season 2.