Pennsylvania State Constable | |
---|---|
Type | Police Officer [1][2] |
Status | Elected for 6 Years |
Residence | District may cover a City, a Township, a Borough, or a Ward |
Term length | 6 years |
Constituting instrument | 44 Pa. C.S. § 71[3] |
Formation | 1664 |
The office of the Pennsylvania State Constable is a municipally elected, sworn Law Enforcement Officer[4] throughout the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.[5]
Pennsylvania State Constables are elected in each borough, township, and city ward in the state—except in Philadelphia (although constables may still exercise authority in the City of Philadelphia) —and serve six-year terms.[6][7] Constables may be appointed by the Court of Common Pleas of the county to serve out a term when an elected position becomes vacant.[3]
"Police officer." Any person employed or elected by this Commonwealth, or by any municipality and whose duty it is to preserve peace or to make arrests or to enforce the law. The term includes constables and dog, game, fish and forest wardens.
Law enforcement officer—A sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, deputy constable, detective, police officer of this Commonwealth, or any political subdivision, school district, or municipal authority thereof.