Kentucky constables 'outdated'

NEWPORT, Ky. - Constables have been a fixture in Kentucky for 200 years, but their days may be numbered.

A new report from the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet finds the unpaid, elected post is 'outdated.'

Constables have similar police powers to sheriffs deputies, but are not required to go through any training for their jobs.

The authors of the report interviewed five groups of officials for their findings.

"Randomly interviewing one individual from the five groups surveyed during the course of this project," the report states, "one would have the greatest chances of finding a: Judge Executive who regards constables as a liability to the county, and likely does not believe they should exist as a county officer, County attorney who will likely not prosecute their cases...Sheriff who adamantly wants them excised from the Constitution...Chief of Police who has little regard for them, and State Police trooper who thinks they are a nuisance; a potentially dangerous one." 

Newly elected Campbell County Sheriff Jeff Kidwell wholeheartedly disagrees with the report.

"Certainly, down in Kentucky in some of the rural areas, where the constable's office is the law, in those counties," he said, "It is certainly needed there."

Kidwell spent several years as a Kentucky constable.

Eliminating the office will require a change to the state Constitution.

To see the entire report visit: https://docjt.ky.gov/ constables.html