88R9395 CW-D
By: Harris of Williamson H.R. No. 169
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The year 2023 marks the bicentennial of the
establishment of the office of constable in Texas, and this
milestone anniversary provides a welcome opportunity to recognize
the outstanding contributions that have been made by these law
enforcement professionals through the decades; and
WHEREAS, The office of constable dates back at least to the
11th century in England and was later established in the British
colonies in North America; constables remained an integral
component of local law enforcement following the American
Revolution, and though their duties varied over time, constables
were often responsible for serving warrants, arresting offenders,
and generally upholding law and order; and
WHEREAS, The distinguished legacy of constables in Texas
began in 1823, when the area was still part of Mexico; on March 5 of
that year, John Tumlinson, the alcalde of the Colorado District in
Stephen F. Austin's first colony, appointed Thomas V. Alley as
constable, with Tumlinson stating that Alley's duties were "to
summon witnesses and bring offenders to justice"; when independence
was won in 1836, the Constitution of the Republic of Texas provided
for the election in each county of a sheriff and "a sufficient
number of constables," and 38 constables were eventually elected in
12 counties; and
WHEREAS, After Texas became a state in 1845, legislation
passed by state lawmakers declared that the constable should be
"the conservator of the peace throughout the county"; among their
other duties, constables were required to quell "riots, routs,
affrays, fighting, and unlawful assemblies" and to make arrests;
during the early statehood of Texas, constables were the most
active law enforcement officials in many counties; and
WHEREAS, Following the Civil War, the election of county
officials virtually ceased, but a major change came with the Texas
Constitution of 1876, which reinstated the election of constables
at the precinct level; today, constables are elected from precincts
in most Texas counties, and these licensed peace officers carry out
a range of essential functions, including serving warrants and
civil papers, such as subpoenas and temporary restraining orders,
issuing traffic citations, and serving as bailiffs for justice of
the peace courts; and
WHEREAS, Continuing to build on a proud and storied
tradition, Texas constables play an important role in enforcing the
rule of law, and it is a pleasure to join in celebrating this
significant anniversary; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the bicentennial of the
establishment of the office of constable in Texas and extend
sincere appreciation to all constables in the state for their
exceptional work.