Carter County constables have just completed week one of some intense training, which has included instruction in emergency vehicle operation, traffic stops, field and DUI checkpoints, search and seizure, and courtroom procedure. This weekend, constables will begin firearms training, and before completing their training Thursday evening will have completed extensive training in over 20 subjects.

While the constable’s position is one of the most misunderstood elected offices in Tennessee, it is historically the oldest law enforcement position in the United States.

A Tennessee Constable is an elected position with full power of arrest and is a state peace officer. Yet, they do not work for the sheriff’s office or the police department.

Carter County Constables carry a gun and badge, write tickets, and can arrest people.

You don’t hear too much about them. However, there are about 400 constables across the state of Tennessee. They have had a long and storied past in Tennessee law enforcement. Their post has even added to crime-fighting jargon – the acronym COP, which stands for Constable on Patrol.

Many local old-timers remained long-time constables such as Jarvis Stout, Ross Potter, Foy Jarrett, and Mark Winters and were well-liked in their districts as they kept getting elected. They patrolled their communities religiously and were on the watch-out for both crime and lawbreakers. They provided escorts for funerals and often helped worked wrecks and other traffic problems.

In addition to making arrests and writing tickets, constables also serve court summonses and ensure the security at school functions, such as ballgames.

They operate at no cost to the county as constables provide their uniforms, vehicles, and equipment. They also pay out of their pocket for gas used to patrol in their districts.

Although they’re not salaried, they get a state-based fee for those services that come out of court costs paid by defendants.

Their mission, according to the Tennessee Constable website, is to “provide additional law enforcement presence and assist, and supplement the sheriff’s office and police departments.” They are also at the disposal of fire departments, rescue squads, and state and federal agencies.

They have served Tennessee residents for about 200 years according to information from the Tennessee Constable Association website. Records show they used to exist in every county. However, their numbers are dwindling as several East Tennessee counties no longer have constables.

Despite the decline of constables in the state, they remain popular in Carter County, which has 16 constables – two from each of the eight districts.

Under the law, constables must be 21, be able to read and write, and be a qualified voter in the district where they run.

They cannot have a felony conviction or an armed forces discharge other than honorable. Those with police powers must participate in 40 hours of in-service training and must be range-qualified each year by a certified firearms instructor.

Those who operate an emergency vehicle must pass an emergency vehicle operation course annually.

• Must be age 21 or older.

• The ability to read and write.

• No felony convictions.

• Must be a qualified voter in the district.

• No armed force discharges other than honorable.

• Those with police powers must participate in 40 hours of in-service training and to be range-qualified each year by a certified firearms instructor.

• Those who operate an emergency vehicle must pass an Emergency Vehicle Operation Course annually.

Good constables perform a valuable service to the county and the community in which they live. They do a lot of neighborhood watches and as such are familiar with what goes on in their community. And, it is free law enforcement.

Some are better than others. However, a good constable is an asset to his community and the county. Most want to do good and be of service to others.

They, like volunteer firefighters, are there to help. They work other jobs in addition to their constable duties.

If you have a good constable in your district, look him up this weekend, shake his hand, and say “thank you.”