Accountable Law Enforcement

Constables are democratically-elected officials, answering directly to voters. Their community foundation fosters transparency, reducing misconduct common in centralized, bureaucratic law enforcement agencies. Independent from rigid hierarchies, political agendas, and special interests, constables avoid the bureaucratic shielding that can obscure accountability and lead to distrust of law enforcement. Constables are a direct, visible, and responsive link between the public and justice.

Rooted in Our Community

Elected at the township, borough, or ward level, constables are deeply connected to the local area, serving as familiar faces who understand the community’s unique needs. Constables strengthen the community through partnerships, collaboration, and active involvement. Their position as accessible, grassroots officers allows constables to bridge divides and strengthen social bonds in ways that larger, centralized law enforcement entities cannot. Constables serve as peacekeepers, a role that extends beyond enforcement to resolving conflicts within the community. They prevent disputes from escalating and help maintain social cohesion. As elected officials, constables embody a form of governance that reflects the people they serve. This democratic connection encourages residents to see them as allies rather than adversaries, fostering a collaborative spirit across cultural, economic, or generational lines. Constables uphold public safety in a way that aligns with local norms and valuesb>, rather than enforcing detached, centralized policies. This alignment unites residents around a common vision of their community’s well-being.

Ensuring Your Safety and Rights

Constables are committed to keeping the community safe from crime. They are also a bulwark in the system of checks and balances against corruption and overreach by state and federal governments. Constables, as locally elected officials, are not beholden to the political or financial incentives of a distant centralized authority, but remain accountable to the residents of their jurisdiction, giving citizens a direct voice in law enforcement and governance. By maintaining independence from centralized bureaucratic structures, constables can resist pressures or directives that might conflict with the interests of their community, thereby keeping centralized agendas from infiltrating local governance. By remaining outside of the control of centralized government, constables act as a check on systemic corruption within those institutions. With their roots in common law traditions, constables embody a legacy of protecting individual liberties and property rights against arbitrary government action, ensuring that power remains distributed and responsive to local needs rather than concentrated in elite hands.

Dedicated to Service

Constables' commitment to prioritizing the well-being of residents over mere enforcement is rooted in a tradition of acting as local guardians who address a wide range of civic needs. Unlike many modern law enforcement officers who focus primarily on crime suppression and prosecution, constables perform diverse tasks that directly support community life. Their duties include civil, judicial, and public safety functions, reflecting a holistic commitment to residents’ needs and the civic systems that underpin community life. By acting as officers of the court and aides to local government, they ensure these institutions function effectively. Beyond their formal duties, constables often engage in voluntary efforts — such as mentoring, charity events, or teaching safety classes. In today’s world, where policing can sometimes feel detached or militarized, constables stand out for their local, service-driven approach. Their independence from large bureaucracies allows them to focus on what locals need most rather than chasing centralized metrics like arrest numbers. This adaptability ensures they remain dedicated to serving people, not just systems.

About Constables

History

Constables are the oldest branch of law enforcement in the Commonwealth, established when James, Duke of York, seized control of the territory from the Dutch in 1664, even before King Charles II granted the colony to William Penn in 1681. This point of pride is highlighted by the Constables' motto, "First in Law Enforcement".

The Constable's powers and duties originate from pre-Revolutionary British common law in which Constables were in charge of the court of chivalry, a civil court with jurisdiction over matters of heraldry, served as justices of the peace, commanded garrisons and castles, and were responsible for arming the militia and suppressing riots and violent crimes. Modern Pennsylvania courts have recognized this ancient tradition in today's Constables' powers and duties: "In determining the authority of peace officers we must consider not only statutory powers but also any common law powers which preexisted and exceed those statutory powers". -- Taylor, 450 Pa.Super. at 589, 677 A.2d at 849.

With the establishment of paid state and municipal police forces during the 19th and 20th centuries, some powers of Constables, primarily over misdemeanor criminal matters and investigative functions, were given to police departments. Constables retained civil, judicial, and peace keeping powers.

Powers & Duties

  • warrantless arrest for felony crimes, offenses against any law for the protection of forests and timber land, any witnessed violation of any borough ordinance for which a fine or penalty is imposed, any unlawful act endangering personal security or property, and breaches of the peace committed in their presence, anywhere in the Commonwealth (Title 44 Pa.C.S. Chapter 71)
  • investigate criminal complaints as would a detective when directed by the court (Title 44 Pa.C.S. Chapter 71)
  • keep order at the election polls and ensure that no qualified voter is obstructed from voting -- constables are the only law enforcement officer permitted at the polls on Election Day (Title 44 Pa.C.S. Chapter 71)
  • serve complaints, summonses, and notices for the minor judiciary (Title 44 Pa.C.S. Chapter 71)
  • levy personal property for public sale to satisfy judgments (Title 44 Pa.C.S. Chapter 71)
  • execute orders of possession and ejectment (Title 44 Pa.C.S. Chapter 71)
  • execute warrants of arrest (Title 44 Pa.C.S. Chapter 71)
  • effectuate the payment of fines (Title 44 Pa.C.S. Chapter 71)
  • take custody and convey defendants and incarcerated prisoners (Title 44 Pa.C.S. Chapter 71)
  • provide for courthouse security (Title 44 Pa.C.S. Chapter 71)
  • direct traffic and no person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction thereof (Title 75 Pa.C.S. Chapter 31)
  • impound and sell trespassing livestock (Title 44 Pa.C.S. Chapter 71)

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