Constables are a rare – and perhaps dying – breed
Old-time peace officers dwindle in numbers

By Rhonda Westfall

Once upon a time – not really that long ago – the office of constable was considered to be among the most prestigious of elected positions in most local municipalities, including the townships and villages in Clinton County. Bengal Township was served by four constables following its initial election that was held in 1843, and a similar scenario existed for most townships into the 20^th century.

That’s not the case today. While there are no constables remaining in Clinton County, several townships in neighboring areas still maintain the office. Today, however, it’s a position without much notoriety.

"I guess you could say it’s more or less a figurehead," says Aaron Strouse, deputy clerk of Sheridan Township in Clare County who also serves as the appointed township constable. "Technically, we’re considered to be a public peace officer – but I’ve never gotten any calls to help with disturbances or anything."

Sheridan’s constable hasn’t received any sort of compensation for that lofty title, either. It’s a job that’s basically a ‘no pay’ volunteer assignment.

"We still have it on the township books here that someone has to be the constable, so someone has to do it," Strouse says with a laugh about his ‘nomination’ for the four-year term of office, the same tenure as other township positions.

That notion of ‘This is the way it’s always been done,’ may lie at the heart of why the office of constable persists in some localities. Sheridan is the only township in Clare County that still has an elected constable, while the townships of Deerfield, Nottawa and Sherman are the sole sites in Isabella County that have constables on duty. There are no constables in any Gratiot County township.

"The office of constable is pretty much going the way of the dinosaur," says Evelyn David, member information director at the Michigan Townships Association. "It will probably disappear altogether in the next few years."

The decision on whether or not to have a constable on the roster is made by the township board, as noted in an opinion rendered by the state attorney general’s office that defines the Michigan Constitution.

"The township board does have the option to eliminate the position, but a decision to do so must be made at least six months prior to a regular four-year election cycle," David says. "Unless the township officially abolishes the office within that time frame, the office continues and must be staffed at the same level – the number of constables is also determined by the township board."

That explains why there are two constables in Nottawa Township, Glenn Pasch and George Flaugher, Sr. Steve Johnson serves in Deerfield, and Ronald Vogel is the constable in Sherman Township.

James Chaney, who is the building inspector for Deerfield Township, had served in the capacity of constable for eight years prior to the Nov. 8 election when Johnson was elected. As is the case in Clare County’s Sheridian Township, there were no perks for Chaney associated with the constable position.

"There’s no compensation, and I’ve got no car, no gun and no ticket-book," the Deerfield Township constable says wryly, noting that his responsibilities lie mainly in "helping out" in complaints related to potential township ordinance violations.

"If we get complaints about garbage around residences, loud parties, lots of cars parked around places, I’ll go out and investigate and try to get a resolution to the problem," Chaney says. "We really don’t get too many calls on things."

Dealing with local ordinance violations and serving in similar capacities is typical of the duties of the office, according to information provided to the MTA.

"It appears that most townships using constables have them doing ordinance inspections, checking for liquor license violations and other similar responsibilities," David says. "There are some townships in the state that do have trained, law enforcement personnel serving as constables – but not very many."

Reviewing the liquor license of a local establishment in North Star Township was a primary function of the last constable to serve in Gratiot County. Frances Hawkes, who passed away in 1998, had the distinction of being the last person to serve in the capacity of constable for that township. Her son, Robert Hawkes, has few memories of his mother’s job responsibilities – with the exception of checking liquor licenses.

"There was a local bar in North Star where the state required monthly inspections of the license," Hawkes says, noting that his mom’s compensation for the task came from the state liquor control commission.

"Other than that, she pretty much did things that the township board asked her to do – she served at the will of the township."

The use, or lack thereof, of constables in today’s society is a far cry from its original function. In feudal times, the office of constable was a high military rank, and eventually ex officio commander in chief of the military forces. He was the highest judge in military offenses and in questions of chivalry and honor, and was the supreme arbitrator in tilts, tournaments and martial displays.

Constables have been a part of the American scene since Colonial times, due mainly to the use of the office in England. A constable was one of the earliest offices created in the ‘New World’ colonies where the most important duty was to keep the "King’s peace."

In a way, constables in local townships still serve that function. Making sure that ordinances are upheld – no garbage or junk cars allowed – is a form of peace-keeping at a very basic level.

"I guess I should feel special being a constable," Strouse says.