A constable is an
elected or appointed officer of a municipality whose
duties are similar to those of a sheriff,
though the powers are less.
-
Preserve the peace specifically at the polls
during Primary and General Elections.
-
Perform judicial duties to serve writs,
warrants, bail pieces, etc.
For more on
Constables please visit the
Pennsylvania Commission on
Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) website.
For a listing of Constables searchable by
name, county, etc. please visit the
PCCD database.
Constables are
elected at the municipal and/or precinct level to
six-year terms. Constable elections were held in
2003 during the Primary and General municipal
elections. The next constable elections will take
place in 2009.
In the event
no candidates seek election to constable a qualified
elector of that municipality/precinct may seek
appointment by the President Judge by circulating a
petition and collecting a minimum of ten signatures
of voters registered within the
municipality/precinct they reside. Vacated offices
are filled by court appointed constable until the
next regularly scheduled constable election to
include a full six year term if necessary.
PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF CONSTABLE (Adobe Reader
Required)
Deputy
Constables are appointed by the elected constable
and must be residents of the municipality and/or
precinct of the appointing constable.
PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY CONSTABLE (Adobe
Reader Required)
What is
the process?
1)
A petition for appointment of constable is
presented to the President Judge.
2)
The York County Director of Elections and
Voter Registration verifies that a vacancy does
exist and that the petitioner is a qualified,
registered elector in the municipality/precinct they
seek appointment.
3)
The President Judge signs a final order
appointing or denying the petition. The orders will
indicate a bond to be filed if the petition is
approved.
4)
Oaths – before assuming their duties, newly
elected or appointed constables and deputy
constables MUST take the oath of office administered
by the Clerk of Courts. The oath is filed in the
Clerk’s office.
In York
County, the bond and oath of a constable are filed
in the Clerk of Courts Office. The filing does not
occur until the bond has been presented to the York
County Court of Common Pleas and approved by the
Court, and the President Judge or the Clerk of
Courts has administered the oath. There is
a $23.00 filing fee for both elected and appointed
constables (excluding Election Day Constables).
Insurance
requirements…
Constables
performing judicial duties have the added
requirement of filing proof of liability insurance
in the amounts of $250,000 - $500,000 each year at
no charge at the Clerk of Courts.