A “weak sheriff” can refer to a specific fictional character in the game 

Dwarf Fortress, or, in the real world, a sheriff who is perceived as having limited power due to political, budgetary, or jurisdictional constraints. In Dwarf Fortress, a weak sheriff is one who lacks strength, leading to the mistreatment of prisoners because the sheriff can’t properly manage them. In a real-world context, a sheriff might be considered weak if they are beholden to an elected county board, have to operate with a limited budget, or face conflicts with other powerful local officials, notes Quora. 

In Dwarf Fortress

• In the game, a sheriff’s strength determines their ability to handle prisoners.
• A weak sheriff may resort to violence or beatings due to a lack of strength, which can lead to “unhappy thoughts” from other dwarves.
• A strong sheriff is better for the game’s mechanics because they can more effectively subdue prisoners without causing excessive harm, according to this Dwarf Fortress Wiki page. 

In the real world

• Political and budgetary constraints: A sheriff’s power can be limited by an elected county board that controls the budget, making it difficult to fund necessary initiatives or staff increases, explains Quora.
• Jurisdictional limitations: While a sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer for their county, their authority can be limited compared to state troopers who have statewide jurisdiction, according to this YouTube video from CountyOffice.org. They also typically focus on unincorporated areas rather than cities with their own police departments, notes Police1.
• Conflicts with other officials: A sheriff may have to navigate conflicts with other powerful local officials, such as mayors, district attorneys, or city councils, which can weaken their ability to act freely, notes Quora.
• Lack of statewide power: A sheriff has authority within their specific county but not across the entire state, notes this YouTube video from CountyOffice.org.