We discuss the role which empirical determinations of the latitude variation of cosmic rays with respect to the current sheet may have in illuminating the importance of the cross-field drift of particles in the large-scale heliospheric magnetic field. Using K coronameter observation and measured solar wind speeds, we have determined the latitude gradients with respect to the current sheet for cosmic rays in four rigidity ranges. Gradients vary between approximately -2 and -50% per astronomical unit. The rigidity dependence of the decrease of cosmic ray flux with distance from the current sheet lies between P-0.72 and P-0.86, with the exact dependence being determined by the definition used for the median rigidity of each monitor.