A1511 - REVIEW CONSTABLES ORGANIZATIONAL POLICY - FINAL.PDF

MARICOPA COUNTY INTERNAL POLICY
Policy Number: A1511
Policy Title:
Current Adoption
3-21-2018
CONSTABLES ORGANIZATION Date:
Current
3-21-2018
Implementation Date:
Board Agenda
Approved by: C-25-18-002-M-00
Number:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Original Adoption
3-23-2005
Date:
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide the framework and process for establishing an organizational
structure for the Constables. Constables are elected officials charged with the duties articulated in A.R.S.
§ 22-131. A.R.S. § 22-132 provides that the Board of Supervisors shall allow the actual and necessary
expenses incurred by Constables, and A.R.S. § 11-601 provides that the salary and expenses of
Constables are County charges. A.R.S. § 11-201 provides the Board of Supervisors with the power to
determine the budgets of all elected and appointed County officers. A.R.S. § 22-104 establishes role and
term of the Presiding Constable and Associate Presiding Constable. The Presiding Constable serves as
the liaison between the Constables within the County, the County Manager, and other County
departments to ensure a close, effective working relationship and that County funds are expended in the
most judicious method.
II. DEFINITIONS
A. Associate Presiding Constable: A Constable selected by majority vote of the Constables to
exercise the powers of the Presiding Constable during their absence or inability to act as the
Presiding Constable.
B. Constable: Elected official who executes, serves, and returns all processes, warrants and notices in
accordance with A.R.S. § 22-131.
C. Constables Administrator: A County employee who is hired in collaboration with the Presiding
Constable and the County Manager’s Office to administer the day-to-day functions of the Constables.
D. Deputy Constable: Appointed, employed, or authorized to assist the Constables or to assume the
full responsibility of the Constables in their absence.
E. Presiding Constable: A Constable selected by majority vote of the Constables to serve as general
administrator of the Constables and to act as the primary liaison between the Constables and County
management.
III. POLICY
A. The Constables are organized according to the Justice of the Peace Precinct Court Co-locations.
B. The Presiding Constable oversees the Constables Administrator, who in turn manages the budget
and the internal administrative functions of the Constables.
C. The administrative staffing protocol is as follows:
1. In a collaborative manner, the Presiding Constable and the County Manager’s Office shall:

Policy Title: Policy Number: A1511
CONSTABLES ORGANIZATION Current Adoption
3-21-2018
Date:
a. Set administrative policy
b. Concur in the hiring and termination of the Constables Administrator
c. Establish the budget and organizational structure of the Constables
2. The Constables Administrator coordinates the daily administrative operations of the Constables’
activities, including budget management, internal conflict resolution assistance, and participation
on interview panels to fill vacant Deputy Constable positions.
D. If a Constable refuses the use of a serviceable County vehicle, the County will no longer reimburse
for mileage and fuel. County vehicles have proven to be cost-efficient, which makes funds available
for other critical activities. If no serviceable County vehicle is available, the Constable will be
reimbursed according to County Policy A2313 General Travel. In the event that a County vehicle is
removed from a Constable’s possession, the Constable will be reimbursed for mileage when utilizing
their personal vehicle to perform their duties.
E. The Presiding Constable will assign one Deputy Constable to each of the Justice of the Peace
Precinct Court Co-locations. The decision to utilize the services of a Deputy Constable will be made
by the Presiding Constable.
F. The Constables within the Justice of the Peace Court Co-location will select a Constable to be the
Area Resource Coordinator. The Area Resource Coordinator will coordinate the activities of each
regional area, supervise, and schedule the Deputy Constables assigned to that area.
G. In accordance with A.R.S. § 22-137, Constables placed on probation by the Constable Ethics
Standards and Training Board or suspended from performing their duties by the Board of Supervisors
shall not be considered a Constable under the terms of this policy.
IV. PROCEDURES
A. Each Constable is annually approved for both travel and training funds that are equally divided
among the Constabulary. Each Constable will approve the expenditure of the funds from their
individual budget. To better account for these expenditures, submission of the County-approved
Travel Authorization and Expense Report must be made monthly to the Constable Administrator in
accordance with County Policy A2313 General Travel. If the proper forms are not submitted, it could
lead to a delay in processing and reimbursement.
B. According to A.R.S. § 11-445, Constables are required to maintain a standardized daily activity log of
work-related activities.
C. The standardized daily activity logs are public record and should be made available as prescribed by
law. Copies must be filed monthly by the 10th day of the following month with the Clerk of the Board of
Supervisors.
D. Annual training reports, including certificates of completion, must be filed with Arizona Constable
Ethics, Standard and Training Board.
Page 2 of 3

Policy Title: Policy Number: A1511
CONSTABLES ORGANIZATION Current Adoption
3-21-2018
Date:
Revision History
Version Revision Date Description of Revision
1 3-23-2005 Initial version (C-25-05-003-6-00)
2 3-21-2018 Updated to reflect the establishment of the Presiding Constable, Associate
Presiding Constable, updated standardized log and filing procedures, and
streamlined current language (C-25-18-002-M-00).
Page 3 of 3