Arkansas Constable

[bigmike7847]

I need advice from other Arkansas Constables, how about it any Ar. Constables out there. Mike

[alliecat71762]

i know the new rights were suppose to go in effect aug 1,2007. nobody seems to know anything about what is going on.i steal can not git axcess to asa or ncic .what do you think about that.i have all my traning.== alliecat71762

[bigmike7847]

I call ALEST about 3 weeks ago they still don't have a traning program set up for Contstables. They said I would have to get it on my on. I told them that was not what the bill said, I said that bill said that that a program would be developed and provided to the constables. he called me a lyer. No one knows his a## from a hole in the ground. I having trouble from shiriff's dept. I don't know if is coming from the Sheriff are the second in cammand. Thing about saying the hell with sheriffs department and setting up my own dispatch. Didn't want to butt heads with Sheriff but if I have to, I have one hard head.
Mike

[bigmike7847]

Here is some Arkansas code for you Constables that think you being looked down on by police officers.

14-52-203. Duties of police officers.

(a) In cities of the first class, the duty of the chief of police and other officers of the police department shall be under the direction of the mayor.
(b) It shall be their duty to:
(1) Suppress all riots, disturbances, and breaches of the peace;
(2) Pursue and arrest any person fleeing from justice in any part of this state;
(3) Apprehend any and all persons in the act of committing any offenses against the laws of the state or the ordinances of the city and forthwith bring the persons before the proper authority for trial or examination; and
(4) Diligently and faithfully enforce at all times all such laws, ordinances, and regulations for the preservation of good order and the public welfare as the city council may ordain. For this purpose, they shall have all the power of constables.
History. Acts 1875, No. 1, § 53, p. 1; C. & M. Dig., § 7704; Pope's Dig., § 9847; A.S.A. 1947, § 19-1705.
.

[AvalancheZ71]

OK, and I fail to see the relevance here. Constables and police officers or marshals have overlapping and concurrent jurisdiction as the various townships may have cities and towns that are inclusive of the township. It appears by a similar Arkansas Code that the duties of a police officer appear to be the same as a Constable of a township. Since cities and towns are included in the township lines, it appears that concurrent jurisdiction occurs as mentioned. So what is the relationship to your statement and said code?

16-19-301. Peacekeeping duties and authority — Neglect of duty.
(a) Each constable shall be a conservator of the peace in his township and shall suppress all riots, affrays, fights, and unlawful assemblies, and shall keep the peace and cause offenders to be arrested and dealt with according to law.

(b) If any offense cognizable before a justice of the peace in his township is committed in his presence, the constable shall immediately arrest the offender and cause him to be dealt with according to law.

(c) Nothing in subsection (a) or subsection (b) of this section shall be construed to deprive a constable of authority to serve warrants, summons, writs, and other process as provided by law.

(d) Nothing in this section shall prevent the fresh pursuit by a constable of a person suspected of having committed a supposed felony in his township, though no felony has actually been committed, if there are reasonable grounds for so believing. “Fresh pursuit” as used in this section shall not necessarily imply instant pursuit, but pursuit without unreasonable delay.

(e) If it comes to the knowledge of any constable that an offense mentioned in this section has been committed in his township, it shall be the duty of the constable to present the offender to a justice of the peace of the township in order that the offender may be arrested and brought to trial as prescribed by law.

(f) If a constable fails, refuses, or neglects to perform the duties imposed upon him by this section, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, by indictment in the circuit court, shall be fined not less than five dollars ($5.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100).

History. Rev. Stat., ch. 29, § 15; Acts 1848, §§ 2-4, p. 36; C. & M. Dig., §§ 1448-1451; Pope's Dig., §§ 1749-1752; Acts 1941, No. 12, §§ 1, 2; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 26-210 — 26-213.

If you notice, the history of the acts show that the establishment of the constable was long before that of police officer. Furthermore, even after the establishment of police officer, the duties of the constable are retained.

[AvalancheZ71]

woops double post

[AvalancheZ71]

Nevermind, I see your relavance here. You are relating to what I said about the history of the office and the establishment of the office as relating to where a police officer draws his powers. Sorry I did not catch that. I have stated that numerous times as other states have very similar laws. The Metroplitan Nashville & Davidson County Police Department even mentions that a police officer has the power of constable in their oath of office. MPD was not even established until 1963 and this was after the formation of the Metro government and the Metro government even tried to abolish the office of constable, although they gave their officers the power of constable.

[bigmike7847]

A lot of Police Officers and Sheriffs look down on constables, Constables were the first L.E. officers in Arkansas, all other L.E. officers draw the power from Constables.

[Wash. Co. AR Constable]

I am an AR constable, Northwest Arkansas in Fayetteville. I am a fulltime certified officer in the state. I worked for the Washington County Sheriff's Office for 10 years, and was a Sergeant. I also spent 2 years in Kosovo working as an International Police Officer for the State Department.

I came back and went to work as an ATF Specialist investigating firearms violations for Wal-Mart home office and working with the ATF and state alcohol and tobacco officers. I make alot more money than the Sheriff doing that job.

I was asked to run for Constable by the current Sheriff, even though I had never worked for him. He lives in my district ans said he wanted someone that had as much experience as him in the position if it was possible for him to be arrested by the Constable. Someone must have filled him in on my history. The Sheriff has a great sense of humor it seems.

Honestly I never have any problems from any of the local PD Officers or the county. That could be because I have been an fulltime officer for fifteen years, ten of them in Washington County. I have been elected twice already and nobody has run against me, even though there are many officers in my district that could. I think the Sheriff may have asked the others not to do so. I do hold a Senior Level Law Enforcement Certification which is the highest in AR, and I also have a BA in CMJS from Univ of AR at Fayetteville. I was asked by the Republican Party to run against the current Sheriff last election, but I declined becuase Tim is a great guy even if he is a Democrat.

Anyway, I make several arrests per month in my vehicle, and yes I have it marked with equipment becuase of that great new law. I do wear the uniform, tan BDU pants and black shirt with usual setup. No tie or hat for me. I never did wear that stuff at the SO and I am not about to start. Fayetteville PD is great to back me, even if I am working an off duty gig for some extra money. I usually use that money for buying my law enforcment equipment, that way the wife doesnt gripe about me dipping into the family money for my cop toys as she calls them.

My little brother is a Springdale Officer and he worked for me for a few years at the county before moving over there. Many of the Fayetteville, Springdale, and small town officers worked for me at the county and I am sure that helps. Most are Sergeants and above now.

If there is anything I can answer for you guys on the Constable position, then just let me know. I have worked at every level, Local, State, and Federal and trust me when I say that being elected is best. The only problem is that the county doesnt see fit to pay us much as other counties and states do their Constables.

[bigmike7847]

My problem is gitting the training the bill passed last april said that the Arkansas Commission On Law Enforcement And Training was to develop and provide the training to the Constables. Every one I talk to tell me I have to get it on my own. When I was elected to this office we were not required to wear a standard uniform. I have a problem with the marking we have on our cars, because Arkansas Constable Implys that we are a statewide office, I am not an Arkansas Constable I am a Nevada County, Boughton Township Constable. If get you any pay at all you are lucky, we get 0.