Lexington officials are considering changes to policies regarding county constables. The duties of these elected officials were discussed during this week’s Planning and Public Safety Committee meeting.
The city review follows a summer report by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting raising issues about training and accountability. Council member Kevin Stinnett views city liability related to constables and their deputies as a key issue.
Currently, Stinnett says, the city provides a bond of $10,000 per constable. “We have exposure should something go awry during a summons delivery in the case of injury or harm to the citizen,” said Stinnett.
Constables are not required to undergo law enforcement training. Fayette County Sheriff Kathy Witt says some citizens might think uniformed constables are just like sheriff deputies in law enforcement. She said there were also cases of unauthorized use of emergency lights on vehicles. Constable Jeff Jacob says he and his deputies primarily carry out eviction notices. “We are peace officers. We can make arrests,” noted Jacob. “We don’t typically in Fayette County because our primary job is serving papers.”
Council members plan to hold a roundtable discussion about constable policies. State lawmakers are expected to once again in 2017 consider legislation to do away with the office of constable. ?
