MY NAME IS CONSTABLE PETE AVILA AND I WEAR A BADGE

(Editor's Note: There has been quite a bit of confusion regarding the position of constable locally. Some hear the word and hark back to the days of Robin Hood. At one time, an ambitious Cameron County Sheriff wanted to do away with the constables and have his department take over their office. Unfortunately, the Texas Constitution stood in the way. The newest constable in Cameron County explains the office.)
By Pete Avila
Constable, Pct. 2

Constables – the oldest law enforcement position in the Western world – date back to the 5th and 6th centuries when they were called Counts of the King’s Stables (therefore, the word constable). In those days, horses, like cars are now, were the main means of transportation in England and Europe and were invaluable to the nobility and the people.

In England Constables were given an even higher position and were the main judges in jousting tournaments and in military matters. Constables were specifically named in the Magna Carta, the foundation of what we now know as the U.S. Constitution. Constables have served the justice system since 1362.

The first constables were appointed in the Plymouth colony in 1632, and, under the Justice of the Peace, were the main enforcers of justice in Colonial America.


Two centuries later, two constables were appointed by Stephen F. Austin as settlers spread into the territories that would later become the State of Texas. At that time, constables numbered roughly 200 men and protected Sam Houston’s army from Indians during the Battle of San Jacinto, when Texans battled the armies of Santa Anna to gain independence from Mexico.

Many later joined the Texas Rangers under the new Republic of Texas. Under the Texas Constitution, the position of constable was written into law and was the only law enforcement body defined in it.

Constables today serve four-year terms and run on the same election cycle as the President of the United States. Constables and their deputies work for the local Justice of the Peace and are associate members of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Because of their constitutional origin, constables are considered the “people’s police” and can enforce both criminal and civil laws, unlike state and city police who are limited to enforce criminal law.

There are about 770 elected constables in the State of Texas. Depending on the size of the county where they operate, there can be as many as eight constables in one county, such as Tarrant (Dallas).

As the “people’s police,” constables answer only to the citizens that elect them to serve, as do county sheriffs. As the people’s police, their duties vary to reflect the needs of their community and citizens.