Here in the Houston area, in addition to the city police, sheriff’s deputies, state troopers and sundry other law enforcement authorities, I see a lot of police cars labeled “constable”. I thought I knew what this meant, but suspect I am sadly ignorant. How do the duties of a constable differ (if, in fsact they do) from the duties of other police?
Black’s law dictionary sums it up pretty well: a constable is a “peace officer responsible for minor judicial duties, such as serving writs and warrants, but with less authority and jurisdiction than a sheriff.” They handle a lot of these duties that are not so much the typical “catch the bad guy” stuff you associate with law enforcement. If you live in an apartment complex you might notice tha landlord and a deputy constable or two making the eviction rounds at certain times of the month.