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About the
Constable's Office
History of
the Constable and the Constable in Texas
Constable's are the oldest law enforcement
position in the world. History records Constable's in France in the
beginning of the 5th century, when they were known as the Counts of
the King's Stables. By the turn of the 6th century they were the
Chief Household Officers and commanded the Armies in the King's
absence. In the year 871 AD King Alfred of England, declared the
Constable was the highest judge in the military offenses and in
matters of chivalry and honor. He was also named by the King to be
the supreme arbitrator in tilts, tournaments, and martial
displays.
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Becoming noted peacekeepers under King William
"The Conqueror" in 1066, Constable's responsibilities were expanded
with the adoption of the Magna Carta, which not only became the
pattern for most of the world's Constitutions, but also described
Constables in written law. Constables have served the Justice Court
system since 1362.
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In America, the first Constable was appointed
in the Plymouth Colony in 1632. During that time, the leading
official was the Justice of the Peace. The Constable enforced the
orders of Colonial and County officials in both civil and criminal
matters.
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In Texas during 1823 two Constables were
appointed by Stephen F. Austin's original colony, a group of
western settlers who expanded rapidly into the territories of
Texas. The Constables became an active group of roughly two hundred
men. In 1836 that same group protected Sam Houston's armies from
Indians to insure victory against Santa Anna at the battle of San
Jacinto. Many of those men later became known as Texas Rangers once
the Republic of Texas was formed. The Constable was later written
into Constitutional law and was the only law enforcement defined by
the original Texas Constitution.
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Today,
Constables are elected and serve a four-year term which runs on the
same cycle as the President of the Untied States. The Constable is
an associate member of the Texas Department of Public Safety and
given that same authority. They are the Officers of the Justice of
the Peace Court. Each Constable will appoint Deputies to work under
his authority. Each Deputy is given the same authority as the
Constable himself. A Constable is considered to be the "Peoples
Police" because of their Constitutional origin. Constables are
given Constitutional authority to enforce Civil and Criminal laws.
State and City Police Officers are given the authority to enforce
Criminal laws. There are approximately 770 elected Constables in
the State of Texas.
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One
Sheriff is elected to each County and is primarily responsible for
the operation of the jail and upholding law and order. Counties are
divided into Precincts. Counties will have between four and eight
Precincts depending on size (Tarrant County has eight). Each
Precinct has an elected Law Enforcement representative (Constable).
It is the Constable's responsibility to observe and uphold the laws
for that Precinct.
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Many
Constables operate differently across the State. Constable's have
continuous jurisdiction and like the Sheriff, they report only to
the citizens that elect them to serve. The operation of the
Constable's Office vary depending upon the expectations of the
community and the Constable.
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