To whom does the responsibility of maintaining peace primarily fall?

The responsibility of maintaining peace primarily falls to the sheriff. Sheriffs are typically elected officials responsible for law enforcement at the county level. Their duties often include maintaining order within the community, enforcing laws, and overseeing the sheriff's department, which engages in various activities such as patrolling, crime prevention, and responding to emergencies.

While the mayor, chief of police, and governor each play significant roles in the realm of public safety and governance, their responsibilities are often more localized or administrative. For instance, the mayor's focus may be on broader city management and policy development, while the chief of police specifically manages the operations of the police department. The governor tends to oversee statewide concerns and policies rather than direct law enforcement in communities. Thus, the sheriff's role is the most directly connected to maintaining peace and law enforcement at the community level.