Uniforms

[constableron]

If you are a uncertified constable, are you allowed to wear uniforms?

[SETZ]

Ron,

You are allowed to wear a uniform as soon as you are sworn in. It doesn't matter if you ever get certified to wear one.

[ConstableChuck]

Tom is 100% correct, as long as you were duly elected or appointed, have posted your bond and gotten sworn in then you are a Constable and can function as a Peace Officer, the PCCD certification is only required for a Constable who is also acting as an officer of the court ie: Judicial Duties.

Some may try to tell you that your not a Constable unless your certified, these are people that don't really have a full understanding of the office of constable, I have spent countless hours researching statutes, case law and common law governing Constables, the reason is so that I can back up whatever I say with the applicable law, in my opinion every constable should thoroughly research their position, PCCD is only required to teach about Act 44 which is judicial duties, however there's a lot to learn that they don't teach so it's up to us to educate ourselves.

The powers that be would prefer that we remain uneducated and only perform duties within the scope of act 44, if you know to much and are vocal about it then you may end up blackballed like me, so for some ignorance is bliss.

[ConstableChuck]

ConstableRon, I got your message, I'm currently working overseas so it's cheaper for me to respond on the internet, plus the time zone difference here makes it tough to call people at a reasonable hour.

I see that your in Bradford County, there is a law enforcement supply store in Erie called Northeast Uniforms, they carry just about everything you may need, however they usually don't carry badges in stock so they would have to order one for you, or you might be able to buy one through the mail from Kiskey Valley Supply, you might want to ask around to see if another Constable selling one.

One thing to keep in mind is that what the law says you can do and what the powers that be want you to do is not the same, my advice to you is get a uniform, equipment and supplies, educate yourself about the office of Constable, quietly approach your Borough officials with copies of the laws governing what your authority is and let them know that you are available to perform those duties, as for the courts I would suggest that you stay off their radar until you get certified, if you go there asking the MDJ if you can work for him after you are certified he will mention it to the Constables that are working for him now, and it's not unheard of for Constables to try to sabatoge other Constables who they consider a threat to their work.

I'm just trying to warn you of some of the pitfalls I encountered, the Constable system is really screwed up, it was never intended for public officials to be competing against eachother to earn a living, we all should be focusing on serving in the Township, Borough or Ward where we hold office instead of competing for work with other Constables.

[ConstableChuck]

Constable Ron, I'll try to answer your questions the best I can.

You asked, do I need to be certified to wear a PA State Constable Patch ?

In my opinion it is a bit of a stretch for any Constable certified or not to wear a patch that says PA State Constable, we are peace officers elected by the voters of a Township, Borough or Ward, we do have statewide authority when serving arrest warrants as long as we are certified to perform judicial duties but that does not make us state officers, we are actually municipal peace officers that happen to also serve the courts outside of our normal jurisdiction, the Constable system in PA is strange and legally contradictory, that being said I have always worn a PA State Constable patch simply because it's currently the common and accepted practice, I think it would be more appropriate for Constables to wear a patch that has the name of the Township, Ward or Borough where they were elected.

So you can wear whatever patch you want, your an independent elected official, you answer to the voters not Constables from other Towns.

As for serving process for a lawyer , that is something any private citizen can do, whether you are certified or not you cannot hold yourself out to be enforcing an order of the court unless you actually are, so if your gonna serve process for a lawyer you do not need to be certified, if you want to wear a uniform that's up to you, just don't say that you are their on behalf of a Judge.

You have a lot of freedom, but be aware that if you do things that the MDJ's or other Constables don't like they will probably blackball you from getting court work.

[B002848]

Everyone is correct on the uniforms any elected or appointed constable that is bonded and sworn can work. But to get insurance you need your act 44 to get it. Its up to you if you want to go unprotected(insurance) you can be sued serving papers the same as making arrests. you might be the messenger and usually when people receive paperwork from attorneys they are not to happy. Always remember to protect yourself (CYA) nobody else will do it. This is a cut throat business, someone always thinks you are cutting into their business.

[constabledan]

looking for the 2 tone pants grey with the black stripe down leg

dan

[sc108]

I don't know what area you're from. Out west here there's Kiski Valley and Northeast Uniform, both carry those pants in stock.

[LawDawg]

constabledan,
You said you're appointed out of East Pennsboro right? Atlantic Tactical is in New Cumberland, PA off of 83 South. Their address is:
Atlantic Tactical, Inc.
772 Corporate Circle
New Cumberland, PA 17070
717-774-3339
They should be able to take care of your uniform/duty gear needs as they carry or will be able to order virtually anything you need. They have a lot in stock but anything ordered (out of stock) usually takes 2-3 weeks. Ask for Ben, he's the store manager. Good Luck.

[LawDawg]

You can also visit Fromm's Uniforms in Steelton. Their contact info is:
Fromm's Uniform Store
35 North Front Street. Steelton, PA
717-939-4861
Good Luck!

[constabledan]

between them both with is less money from fromms or atlantic tactial
dan

[Constable Eric]

I like A/T as you can see. They will do the pants as you want them. I have dark grey w/the black stripe. It appears to be an appriciated uniform with a black shirt. The patch on hand is the "First" patch, it recognizes the office as state but I am not worrying about that right now. I am working on a local design for myself, that will also ID me as PA Warrant Unit, or PA Court unit.