Pennsylvania State Constable's Office

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The Pennsylvania State Constable's Office is a law enforcement branch within the state Unified Judicial System. State constables serve as court officers for the Minor Judiciary and the Court of Common Pleas, and also have powers similar to that of police officers, except on a statewide level.

There are approximately 3800 State Constables in Pennsylvania. The vast majority of State Constables never perform the duties of their office. Some only seek election or appointment to work the polls on election day. Some only seek election to the office as a sort of vanity. Because the 1873 revision of the state constitution granted constables state wide authority, constables may serve warrants anywhere in the Commonwealth This has led to the establishment of a few Super Constable Offices. These constables are more than willing to serve warrants in the wards of the vanity and election day only constables.

A state constable's primary duties are to serve legal papers in civil and criminal matters, and arrest fugitives and suspects. They also provide security for the magistrate's court and the county court, and transport prisoners as needed. State constables are also required to keep the peace at polling places within their jurisdiction on election day. Many also provide their services to private individuals.

Under state law, state constables are considered independent contractors, and not as employees of a particular law enforcement agency. Because of this, constables are not paid a salary. They are paid through state-defined fees charged for their services. Constables are also required to furnish their own clothing, weaponry, vehicles, and liability insurance. They may appoint deputy constables with the approval of their county's President Judge.

State constables are generally elected to serve six-year terms, though they may also be appointed by their county's President Judge to fill a vacancy. All constables and their deputies are supposed to undergo twenty hours of yearly training as ordered by the state's Commission on Crime and Delinquency.