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Op/ed: Constables redundant, expensive liability for communities

On the question of whether elected constables are still necessary in the 21st century, the Amarillo Globe-News published an op ed by an Amarillo police captain Jeff Lester, a 34-year veteran officer who was elected a Randall County Constable on a platform (which he fulfilled) that he would take no salary and shut down the office: Each time a constable is elected to what was once a vacant office, voters have created another law enforcement agency that requires county commissioners to provide a reasonable salary, benefits, vehicle and training costs. Since constables are elected officials, they are the boss and don't have to answer to anyone but voters. The Potter and Randall County sheriff's offices have always diligently handled the duties that can be performed by a constable...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on May 04, 2010 (boomark / email).