Draft:Harris County, Texas constables
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Last edited by Jgo1906 (talk | contribs) 3 seconds ago. (Update) |
Harris County, Texas constables are elected law enforcement officers for Harris County. The county is divided into eight constable precincts, employing nearly 1,800 deputy constables.[1] These agencies focus largely on building relationships with their communities, but rarely address serious crime.[1]
Constables are often deployed in Harris County when Houston Police Department and the county sheriff's office are unavailable to respond to calls. In certain instances, a "contract deputy" might be dispatched if a particular neighborhood or subdivision has opted into the paid program. [2]
Constables have a number of special operations that address a variety of issues, including but not limited to, "animal cruelty, school security or vice enforcement." [2]
Authority
[edit]The Texas Constitution provides for the creation of constable precincts. Constables and their deputies may exercise their duties, which include serving civil process and arrest warrants, in any part of the county.[3]
Contract deputy program
[edit]The contract deputy program, created in the 1980s, is a taxpayer subsidized program which allows municipal utility districts, homeowner's associations, and other interested parties to enter into a patrol services contract. These entities cover around 70% of the cost while the county pays the remainder for constables and sheriff's deputies to provide patrol services.[4]
Currently, there are no measures in place to track if the patrol services agreements are being honored by the agencies.
In 2020, Adrian Garcia proposed that a study be conducted to determine if patrol services were actually occurring.
Controversies
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Satija, Neena; Morris, Mike; Ghisolfi, Caroline; deGrood, Matt; Dexheimer, Eric (2024-03-25). "How unchecked police agencies became a political powerhouse in Harris County". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ a b Board, Houston Chronicle Editorial (2024-10-17). "What's a constable? And whom should I vote for? | Endorsements". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ "THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 5. JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT". statutes.capitol.texas.gov.
- ^ Board, Houston Chronicle Editorial (2024-03-26). "Love your Harris County contract deputy? Then pay up. (Editorial)". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ "Constable convicted of theft gets five years in prison". Plainview Herald. 2003-03-05. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ Rogers, Brian (2014-01-23). "Former constable sentenced to 3 years probation". Chron. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ George, Cindy (2014-11-18). "Trevino sentenced to 10 years of probation". Chron. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ CHRISTIAN, CAROL (2007-11-03). "Ex-deputy constable files sex harassment suit". Chron. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ Barned-Smith, St John (2021-05-24). "Harris County constable leaders used 'bachelor party' stings to exploit female deputies, lawyer says". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ Blakinger, Keri (2019-12-25). "Precinct 2 constable sued over campaign practices". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ Rogers, Brian; Barned-Smith, St John (2016-09-03). "Hundreds of Precinct Four cases could be dismissed". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-12-21.