Wikipedia
Alguacil (in Spanish), Aguazil or Guazil (in Portuguese) is a title often to be encountered in stories and plays in English, derived from the Arabic "وزير (wazir)", meaning "minister", preceded by the article "al".
The Alguacil among the early Spaniards was a judge, and sometimes the governor of a town or fortress, or the master at arms on a vessel. In later times the office was gradually lowered to the rank of an officer of the court, who is trusted with the service of writs and certain police duties, but he is still of higher rank than the mere Corchete or arresting officer. The title has also been given to inspectors of weights and measures in marketplaces, and similar officials.
In modern Spanish usage it can also mean Sheriff Law enforcement officer, especially in United States. Also colloquially called Jerife, Cherif, and Sherif.
Usage examples of "alguacil".
Diego Hernandez, a Portuguese, to the post of Alguacil Mayor of the Inquisition, and given him the right to wear a sword in virtue of his office, the Governor, meeting the man in the street wearing a sword against his regulations, made him a prisoner.
Manilla, after which they generally manage to get away clear before the alguacils come up.
Houses suspected of carrying it on, are at all times subject to a visit from the alguacils, all the people found in them being carried off to jail.