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Smith County Constables
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Texas Constables must be licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education by attending a basic police academy. Any certified Texas peace officer may run for election as a constable; however, they must reside in the precinct for which they run.
Along with their duties, constables have all the enforcement powers of Texas peace officers. They are sometimes referred to as the executive officer of the
justice of the peace courts. Their duties are to:
- Subpoena witnesses,
- Act as bailiff,
- Execute judgements, and
- Service of process
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In large metropolitan counties the constable may also assist the county and district courts.
In addition, they may perform patrol functions and make criminal investigations. They are
involved in the overall effort to reduce the effects of crime in their communities, including
in some cases the operation of truancy programs.
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Click here to view a map of the Constable Precincts
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Explanation of Office:
General Duties: Peace Officers 1.01: Constables and Deputy Constables
are classified as peace Officers and are licensed by the Texas Commission on Law
Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. 1.01.01
Duties and Powers: Peace officers duties primarily affect the public,
that is, the prevention of crime and arrest of offenders. By command of statute,
it is the duty of every peace officer to:
- preserve the peace within the officers jurisdiction by all lawful means,
- interfere without warrant to prevent or suppress crime where authorized by the Code
of Criminal Procedure,
- execute all lawful criminal process issued to the officer by magistrate or court,
- give notice to some magistrate of all offenses committed within the officers'
jurisdiction, where the officer has good reason to believe there has been a violation
of the penal law,
- arrest offenders without warning in every case where the officer is authorized by
law, in order that they may be taken before magistrate or court and be tried.
Other statutory powers provide that::
- whenever a peace officer meets with resistance in discharging any duty imposed under
law officer shall summon sufficient citizens to overcome the resistance,
- the peace officer who has summoned any person to assist the officer in performing
the officer;s lawful duty shall report if that person should refuse to obey,
- when requested, the peace officer will inform the victim of a crime about the procedures
in criminal investigations.
Constables: Article Five, Section Eighteen of the Texas Constitution
provides for the election of constables.
Constables serve for a term of four years. The constitutional provision states the
requirements for establishing the appropriate number of precincts in each county
from which constables are elected. Another subsection controls the effect of the
boundary changes on constable precincts and the term of office that shall be served
after such changes have taken place. From the constitutional base establishing the
office of constable, we turn to examination of the statutory authority that defines
the duties and powers of a constable
The Local Government Code defines the following as the general powers and duties
of constable: (a) A constable shall execute and return as provided by law each process,
warrant, and precept that is directed t the constable and is delivered by lawful
officer. (b) A constable may execute any civil or criminal process throughout the
county in which the constable's precinct is located and contiguous counties
and in other locations as provided by the Code of Criminal Procedure or by any other
law. (c) A constable expressly authorized by statute to perform an act or service,
including the service of civil or criminal process, citation, notice, warrant, subpoena,
or writ, may perform the act or service anywhere in the county in which the constable's
precinct is located. (d) Regardless of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, all civil
process may be served by a constable in the constable's county contiguous to
the constable's county, except that a constable who is a party to or interested
in the outcome of a suit may not serve any process related to the suit. (e) The
constable shall attend each justice court held in the precinct. The Local Government
Code also contains a provision that allows constables to summon residents to assist
in the execution of lawful or arrest of an offender. The Local Government Code also
sets forth strict guidelines for maintaining the 'bond of constable.'
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Henry Jackson
Downtown
106 E. Elm
Smith County Office Building
Tyler, Texas 75702
903-590-2610
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Andy Dunklin
Noonday
15405 Hwy. 155 S
Tyler, Texas 75703
phone: 903-590-4840
fax: 903-561-3310
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Jimmie Blackmon
Troup
313 E. Duval Street
P.O. Box 573
Troup, Texas 75789
phone: 903-590-4745
fax: 903-842-2668
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John G. Smith
Winona
P.O. Box 318
14152 Hwy 155 N
Winona, Texas 75792
phone: 903-590-4871
fax: 903-877-2201
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Constable Smith a 19 year law enforcement veteran has more than 2,000 hours of law enforcement training and holds an Advanced Peace Officers Certificate. Before running for constable in 2006, he was a Smith County Sheriff’s Office deputy.
During his career he has been credited with the largest marijuana and cocaine seizures in county history and seized more than $1 million in property and drug currency. Smith also oversaw the county’s K-9 program from 2002 to 2006.
Smith was appointed constable in 2006 by county commissioners after the death of Precinct 4 constable Dale Geddie. He later ran for office on the Republican ticket and won during a special election.
As constable, Smith concentrated on busting copper theft rings and making drug arrests in the Precinct. Constable Smith began implementing a program that aggressively sought hot check writers, some with checks more than 25 years old.
Since taking office he has added a deputy and is interested in increasing the staff even more. Constable Smith would like to maintain high visibility to combat any drug problems in precinct 4. In addition to adding a deputy, Constable Smith increased the reserve staff, composed entirely of volunteers who assist in serving papers and helping with patrol. “Because they are volunteers they cost the taxpayers nothing."
Constable Smith works closely with Texas Department of Public Safety, HIDTA, DEA, Sheriff’s Department, probation department, U.S. Marshals, other Constables, and immigration services.
Throughout his career, Smith has received more than 29 awards from dozens of law enforcement agencies and public officials including commendations from President George Bush, Gov. Rick Perry, Congressman Louie Gohmert, State Rep Leo Berman, Sen. John Cornyn, Sen. Todd Staples, Sen. Bob Deuell and Sen. Kevin Eltife. Smith was also recognized for his bravery during the Smith County Courthouse shooting in February 2005 and has received statewide recognition for his narcotics investigations.
Smith is a member of the Smith County Peace Officers Association, Winona Chamber of Commerce Justice of the Peace and Constables Associations.
“My goal is to continue to enforce the laws of the state of Texas and carry out all duties as a constable in and for Smith County, especially for the citizens of Pct. 4 Smith County."
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Kenneth Bibby
Lindale
2616 S. Main
P.O. Box 609
Lindale, Texas 75771
phone: 903-590-4901
fax: 903-882-0354
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