Smith County Constables

Duties of the Constable Precinct 1Precinct 2Precinct 3Precinct 4Precinct 5

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.'

Henry Jackson

Downtown
106 E. Elm
Smith County Office Building
Tyler, Texas 75702
903-5900

Andy Dunklin

Noonday
15405 Hwy. 155 S
Tyler, Texas 75703
phone: 903-590-4840
fax: 903-561-3310

Dustin Rust

Troup
313 E. Duval Street
P.O. Box 573
Troup, Texas 75789
phone: 903-842-2664
fax: 903-842-2668

Dustin Rust is the Constable for Precinct 3 here in Smith County. Constable Rust has been involved in Smith County Law Enforcement since1999. Constable Rust began his career in the State of Oregon working for the Oregon State Police, Graduating second in his class of 50. While working with the State Police Constable

Rust was known for his involvement with numerous community oriented policing projects through his office and even overseeing the creation of several Law Enforcement Explorer Programs throughout the state. Constable Rust closely worked with several MADD programs and participated in numerous DWI and seatbelt / car seat safety intervention seminars. After completing his tour of duty in January of 1999 he relocated to Tyler Texas to be closer to family.

Constable Rust obtained his Texas Peace Officers License and worked for the Smith County Sheriffs Office as a Deputy Sheriff until 2004 were he went to work for the Whitehouse Police Department until he won his appointment in 2008.While working for the Whitehouse Police Department Constable Rust Continued his education in the courses of Law Enforcement Technologies and Criminal Justice.

Today as the Smith County Constable for Precinct 3, Constable Rust strives for a professional office that is available to assist the citizens of Precinct 3 with not just civil needs, but their law enforcement needs as well. Constable Rust and his Deputies work closely with the community and other Law Enforcement Agencies to provide the best service possible. The Precinct 3 Constables motto is “Dedicated to Service, Committed to Excellence” and anyone can see how hard they strive to meet that.

John G. Smith

Winona
110 Dallas Street
P.O. Box 318
Winona, Texas 75792
phone: 903-590-4871
fax: 903-877-2201

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."

Dennis Taylor

Lindale
2616 S. Main
P.O. Box 1075
Lindale, Texas 75771
phone: 903-590-4901
fax: 903-882-0354

Dennis Taylor has been the Constable in Precinct 5 Smith County since January 1, 1981. Before being elected as Constable Taylor was a deputy sheriff for Smith County for four years, a deputy sheriff for Cass County for two years and an undercover narcotics officer for in Dallas for one year. Taylor has a masters certificate in law enforcement. In 1981 the Precinct 5 Constable's Office was a one man office with all the Deputy Constables serving as volunteers with no paid positions except for the Constable's salary. Since taking office Constable Taylor has worked hard to improve the Precinct 5 Constable's Office. The Precinct 5 Constable's office now employees one full time secretary, six paid deputies and one reserve deputy including 2 School Resourse Officers, 2 Environmental Crimes Officers, One Civil Officer, and One Interstate Criminal Enforcement/K-9 Officer.

Constable Taylor is acitve in the local community. He is the president of the Lindale Area Chamber of Commerce Rodeo Board, a member and past president of the Lindale Area Chamber of Commerce, a member and past president of the Hide a Way Lake Kiwanis Club, and past president of the Lindale Athletic Booster Club. The Precinct 5 Constable's Office works closely with the citizens of Precinct 5 to assist anytime they may be needed. The officers work civil cases, criminal cases, juvenile cases, and criminal and narcotic search warrants. This office holds the record for the largest cocaine bust in Smith County with 165 kilos worth 6 Million Dollars.