tipstaff(n = noun.communication) - staff with a metal tip carried as a sign of office by e.g. a bailiff or constable;
is a kind of staff

1.  A staff tipped with metal. Bacon. [1913 Webster]

2.  An officer who bears a staff tipped with metal; a constable. Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

tipstaff, n.
1 a sheriff's officer.
2 a metal-tipped staff carried as a symbol of office.

Etymology:
contr. of tipped staff, i.e. tipped with metal

N  jurisdiction, judicature, administration of justice, soc, executive, commission of the peace, magistracy, judge, tribunal, municipality, corporation, bailiwick, shrievalty, lord lieutenant, sheriff, shire reeve, shrieve, constable, selectman, police, police force, the fuzz, constabulary, bumbledom, gendarmerie, officer, bailiff, tipstaff, bum-bailiff, catchpoll, beadle, policeman, cop, police constable, police sergeant, sbirro, alguazil, gendarme, kavass, lictor, mace bearer, huissier, bedel, tithingman, press gang, exciseman, gauger, gager, customhouse officer, douanier, coroner, edile, aedile, portreeve, paritor, posse comitatus, bureau, cutcherry, department, secretariat, long arm of the law, extradition, executive, administrative, municipal, inquisitorial, causidical, judicatory, judiciary, judicial, juridical, coram judice.