A parish constable, also known as a petty constable, was a law enforcement officer, usually unpaid and part-time, serving a parish. The position evolved from the ancient chief pledge of a tithing and takes its name from the office of constable with which it was originally unconnected.
It is distinct from the more senior position of the hundred-constable, also known as the High Constable (e.g. the High Constable of Holborn, who was one of the hundred-constables for Ossulstone; Ossulstone's hundred court was located at Red Lion Square, in Holborn).
In London (excluding the City of London), the position was superseded by the introduction of the Metropolitan Police Service in 1829, which created a full-time professional force. Elsewhere, professional county police forces took over, after the County Police Act 1839 was passed.
In 1995 the Home Office reintroduced Parish Constables in "The Parish Constable Scheme"(NCJ number 157623). The Parish Constable Scheme was announced in 1993 by the Home Secretary to establish foot patrols in rural areas. The job fell to the Special Constabulary who were asked to provide (if special constables were willing), officers who would be trained in the work and operate solely in their own parishes. Parish Constables did an amazing job in some areas as being local to their own community, they were more trusted than the regular officers who were seen passing through in cars on occasion. Several Parish Constable schemes were operating in various parts of the country for several years but despite its success, the scheme appears to have been shelved.