Why Have Constables?

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Is there a future for constables, or not? Constables remain in nine states in the U.S. and yet many citizens are unaware of them. Historically, the officers who served have been an essential branch of law enforcement. In Arkansas, the very existence of the office of constable has been challenged by the legislature, three times. The number of positions in Carroll County has been reduced from 14 to four since 2020.

At the time of this writing, it is understood that constables in Arkansas are not paid a salary or wage, nor do they have a budget for equipment. If a constable has a badge, a firearm, a uniform—even an identifying sticker on their vehicle—they pay for it with their personal funds. There is one exception: in Pulaski County, constables are paid a salary.

Constables are elected in partisan races with the stated expectation they serve to keep the peace within designated townships. Understandably, this function appears to duplicate the role of county sheriff deputies.

There are two big differences: constables have no funding and can be elected without prior law enforcement experience. To carry out the office’s duties, constables attend the state’s law enforcement school in Camden, Ark. These elected officials may choose not to attend the school while they occupy the elected position, doing nothing for their term.

“To do nothing” is precisely what many elected constables elect to do. Often, they are law enforcement retirees who help the courts deliver official papers to citizens, which can relieve other court staff and sheriff’s deputies who are running errands. 

Is there validity in the state legislature’s interest in eliminating the entire constable office? Or is there simply a need for more creativity in the duties of the position?

The laws of the land are often learned through friends and family rather than by formal education or on the job. Citizens run afoul of the law through ignorance or because they learned from flawed sources.

We have seen a rise in the use of school resource officers to protect students from active shooters. As the name suggests, “Resource,” I wonder why not use the personnel as an educational resource in a course designed to shore up the students’ understanding and appreciation of the laws that have evolved to shape our civilization?

An individual resource officer serving as a classroom instructor might lean toward criminal law and citizens’ rights. So, to round out the content, guest speakers such as judges and lawyers could be invited to discuss sentencing and related topics.  Civil law (perhaps parents from the community) could contribute to subjects on the basics of contracts for business, credit lending, rental, and real estate law. Many of these subjects would not be repetitive of other courses but relevant to joining the world of adults.

Ultimately, the purpose of a constable in this time, or as it originated in the past, is to keep the peace. Better educating

our students as they enter adulthood will prepare them to contribute to the community and attain economic independence, which is essential to keeping the peace.  

Jim Wallace