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A Word on Constables

I believe that the idea of Constables are a good idea. In theory. On paper. Constables are democratically elected offices, so therefore, they are held accountable to the people, versus, say Sheriff's deputies, who are appointed at the behest of the Sheriff. The Sheriff is elected, but not his deputies. His deputies are not held to account to the people since they are appointed but not elected. The only way the voting public can hold a deputy accountable, is to kick the Sheriff out.

Unfortunately, only 10% of Kentucky's people vote, which is the least one can do politically. Since most Kentuckians do not even vote, the chance of even elected politicians being held to account for their behavior is minimal.

There are as many Constables as there are Magistrates in a county: 1 Constable for every Magistrate district. And every Constable has the ultimate absolute power that the Sheriff has in their respective district in the county. So Constables are like mini-Sheriffs in their respective Magisterial district. Constables can help the Sheriff if the Sheriff wants their help in other districts, but it's up to the Sheriff. The Sheriff is even allowed to deputize regular folk with the power of posse comitatus.

Laurel County Kentucky has 6 Constable districts. And Constables do not get a salary. Constables are paid on a fees based system. Constables can be reimbursed $200/month for any expenses they make in regards to their job, but they way Constables get paid is by the fees they collect from serving warrants, subpeonas, etc, and Constables are capped out at $71,000/year in the total fees they are allowed to collect. Many times Constables have to use their own vehicles, and many times Constables have to get permission to get the red & blue lights and sirens installed on their vehicles.

Also, think of Justified, the TV show. The Constable on “Justified”, played by Patton Oswald, was an incompetent baffoon, a boob, a turd, a total dumbass.

Usually the Sheriff's office likes to beat the perp up, and get the glory, and treat Constables like they're 2nd class citizens. This hierarchy unfortunately can get to an insecure Constable, who feels the need to go above and beyond the call of duty, to show their valor, to show their worth, to show that they can do the job that the Sheriff and his deputies can do.

Sidenote:

When Bobby Joe Smith ran for Constable 2 years ago, he didn't fill out any questionnaires from the newspapers. He didn't say why he wanted state power, why he wanted to carry a gun, and be a law enforcer. This leads me to believe that Bobby Joe Smith wanted power for power's sake.  

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