PA State Constables are elected law enforcement officers. Some serve only on Election Day while others serve in its full capacity to enforce Pennsylvania law. Constables are elected for a term of six years.
By Nomination Petition-
To be listed on the election ballot for the Office of PA State Constable you must submit a nomination petition. Nomination petitions are provided by the County Voter Services office. Request a nomination petition for PA State Constable. The Clerk will explain how many signatures are required, will provide an ethics statement to be filled out, and detail the filing fee that need to be submitted and dates. The Clerk can also provide a voter list to help you collect the signatures required.
The office of PA State Constable is a partisan office similar to Sheriff, State Assembly, or Mayor. It is also possible to run as non-partisan; ask the election officer about signature requirements.
By Write-In- If, on election day there is a vacancy for PA State Constable any qualified voter can write themselves in as a candidate for the office. The person with the most write-ins will be contacted by the County Voter Services office to confirm their acceptance of the office. Once the office is accepted the candidate will be sent his election certificate and an ethics statement to fill out. Fill out the ethics statement and return to the Clerk of Courts.
By Write-In- If, on election day there is a vacancy for PA State Constable any qualified voter can write themselves in as a candidate for the office. The person with the most write-ins will be contacted by the County Voter Services office to confirm their acceptance of the office. Once the office is accepted the candidate will be sent his election certificate and an ethics statement to fill out. Fill out the ethics statement and return to the Clerk of Courts.
When there is a vacancy in the Office of PA State Constable a qualified voter can petition the court to be appointed. There is no requirement on the court to fill the appointment. Consider speaking with a currently serving constable or constable association for guidance on being appointed.
Bond-
State law requires Constables to obtain a Surety Bond in the amount of $3,000. This bond must be filed with the County Clerk of Courts. The provider below is suggested.
Liability Insurance- State law requires Constables to obtain liability insurance for $250,000/$500,000 and must be filed with the County Clerk of Courts. The providers below are suggestions.
- E.R. Munro & Company: Bond
Liability Insurance- State law requires Constables to obtain liability insurance for $250,000/$500,000 and must be filed with the County Clerk of Courts. The providers below are suggestions.
- Republic Underwriters: Liability Insurance
- Complete Insurance Services: Liability Insurance
PCCD Training-
To work with the Pennsylvania judiciary Constables have to complete training with PCCD. All costs of training are paid for by Constables. As of 2022 PCCD is offering Constable Basic 80hr course, Continuing Education (a yearly 20hr refresher course), Basic Firearms 40hr, and a firearms Annual Qualification 5hr course.
Additional Training- Constables are responsible for their own training. There are many resources for training, some free, some paid. Monroe County provided some guidance on what training would be of value.
Additional Training- Constables are responsible for their own training. There are many resources for training, some free, some paid. Monroe County provided some guidance on what training would be of value.
Certification under Pennsylvania Act 235 Certification in CPR and basic first aid Complete basic training courses in: Traffic control, Fire Police training, hazardous materials awareness, Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS), Introduction to Incident Command Systems (ICS), and Mandated Reporter training URL: http://monroecountyda.com/constabletaskforce/Other sources ILEE Training Courses: The Institute for Law Enforcement Education (ILEE) is a recognized leader in law enforcement training, annually providing instruction to thousands of law enforcement professionals in a wide range of law enforcement subject areas. Responder Safety Learning Network: Free training for traffic management PennTime: Traffic Incident management Training and Meetups Community College: Check with your local Community College for Act 235 Training FEMA Training: FEMA Independent Study program provides free online training Franklin County Public Safety Training Center (FCPSTC) Northeast Counterdrug Training Center (NCTC), Please Contact PAFOC President Richard Banks for more information. Blue to Gold Law Enforcement Training - Nation's Premier Police Academy Training
- Constable Guide: Contact Constable James Canning to order a printed copy. This guide contains case history and guidance on the duties and authority of the Constable.
- Monroe County Constable Taskforce: This is a helpful guide for uniforms and training that a Constable would need to participate in their with their taskforce. PDF File
All government agencies have a solicitor to represent them. Constables, as chief of their office, also need a solicitor.
Check with your local Constable association for guidance on uniforms. These vendors can help you with acquiring what you need.
- MT Uniforms: Constable Uniforms and Gear
- Starr Uniform Center: Constable Uniforms and Gear
- Constable Warehouse: Constable Patches
