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David Whitlock 3rd Dist. Constable

Bluegrass

New member
Joined
Jan 13, 2011
Messages
7
Location
Louisville, KY.
This guy scares me, he seems like a cop wannabe with some actual authority (and maybe an itchy trigger finger).

He admitted he bought his own "police" uniform (which fits his fat *** like a glove :lol:)

Just what does a Louisville constable do anyway? I remember a few years ago the metro council here in Louisville voted down a motion to allow them to use siren and lights.
 

langzaiguy

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
916
Location
Central KY
I don't fault him for buying his own uniform. From what I understand, they aren't provided any equipment (even a car), and I don't think they make anything either. I believe they earn their money by moon lighting as a security and serving papers for the courts. That said, I think they have full police powers.
 

Bluegrass

New member
Joined
Jan 13, 2011
Messages
7
Location
Louisville, KY.
I don't fault him for buying his own uniform. From what I understand, they aren't provided any equipment (even a car), and I don't think they make anything either. I believe they earn their money by moon lighting as a security and serving papers for the courts. That said, I think they have full police powers.

They earn $100 per month and have limited police powers, they can write traffic citations and serve warrents but that's about it.
 

rscottie

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Messages
608
Location
Ashland, Kentucky, USA
They earn $100 per month and have limited police powers, they can write traffic citations and serve warrents but that's about it.

Actually, that is not accurate. They have the same arrest powers as any other law enforcement officer in KY.

Peace officers in the state of Kentucky (general):

The sheriff and three other elected county officials--coroners, jailers and constables--are peace officers, possessing law enforcement powers (KRS 446.010). These powers include a broad grant of authority to make arrests. Under the authority of KRS 431.005, any peace officer may make an arrest:

(a) In obedience to a warrant;

(b) Without a warrant when a felony is committed in his presence;

(c) Without a warrant when he has probable cause to believe the person arrested has committed a felony;

(d) Without a warrant when a misdemeanor, as defined in KRS 431.060, has been committed in his presence; or

(e) Without a warrant when harassment, criminal trespass in the 3rd degree and certain traffic violations are committed in his presence, or if he has probable cause to believe that a person is driving under the influence of alcohol or any other substance which may impair his driving ability.

Where a misdemeanor has been committed in an officer’s presence, he may issue a citation instead of making an arrest, if he has reasonable grounds to believe the person cited will appear in court (KRS 431.015). Citations may be issued in lieu of a physical arrest for violations committed in the presence of an officer. The officer may make a physical arrest for a violation committed in his presence if he has reasonable grounds to believe the defendant will not appear at the required time or if the violation is one of the several set out above from KRS 431.005(1)(e). If the defendant does not appear, a warrant for his arrest may be issued (KRS 431.015).

Offenses are either violations, misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the nature and length of punishment that may be prescribed. These terms are defined in KRS 431.060.

In addition to the instances cited above, certain peace officers, including sheriffs and fulltime paid deputy sheriffs, may make warrantless arrests in some narrowly defined cases of domestic abuse (KRS 431.005(2)).

When in actual pursuit of a law violator, a peace officer may cross corporate or county lines for the purpose of making an arrest (KRS 431.045).

In actual practice, powers of arrest are exercised only by the sheriff and constable. Jailers and coroners rarely make arrests. The law specifically authorizes sheriffs and constables to carry concealed deadly weapons when necessary for their protection in discharging their duties (KRS 527.020).

Specific statutory duties devolve upon all peace officers. All peace officers must seize untaxed cigarettes and notify the state commissioner of revenue that they have done so (KRS 138.165). Peace officers and deputy sheriffs must enforce all controlled substances laws (KRS 113 218A.240) and must arrest and return any children who have escaped from a reform institution (KRS 440.060).

Upon request from the Kentucky Board of Agriculture, a peace officer must aid in destroying diseased livestock (KRS 246.210). Any Kentucky peace officer may destroy a suffering, abandoned, or diseased animal (KRS 257.100). He must also impound unlicensed dogs (KRS 285.215). A peace officer may order funds derived from the sale of an animal of questionable ownership held until ownership is established (KRS 253.070).

Peace officers must enforce all truck weight limit and size laws (KRS 189.223). They must seize any automobile transporting alcoholic beverages in dry territory and make all necessary arrests (KRS 242.360). Peace officers must serve any subpoena issued by the state parole board (KRS 439.390). On being informed or having reason to believe that an unlawful professional prize fight or wrestling match is about to take place, peace officers must prevent the match (KRS 229.240).

All peace officers must cooperate with the Justice Cabinet in the fingerprinting and identification of prisoners (KRS 17.115). A peace officer may arrest without a warrant any military personnel in his jurisdiction who has violated the military code of justice25 (KRS 35.035).
 

Midwest

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2011
Messages
305
Location
Boone County, KY
Peace officers must enforce all truck weight limit and size laws (KRS 189.223). They must seize any automobile transporting alcoholic beverages in dry territory and make all necessary arrests

I always thought it meant that alcoholic beverages could not be sold in a dry county. I know people who camp out on private land in a dry county and bring wine coolers and beer. I didn't know that law enforcement being able to seize the vehicle if they bought some beer with them....
 

DrakeZ07

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2011
Messages
1,080
Location
Lexington, Ky
So, technically speaking, I'm in violation of the law, when I drive to, say, Montgomery Co. to buy beer, daiquiris, or wine, and bring it home to Bath Co., because Bath is a "dry county"?

I'd hate to see if my home brewing of beer; compliant with federal laws, and state laws; could also be seen as illegal in a dry county through that statue when I buy ingrediants... Hmm.
 

Midwest

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2011
Messages
305
Location
Boone County, KY
So people in New Jersey have more rights (when it comes to transporting alcohol) than people in Kentucky do? Since there are no dry counties there, and if the alcohol is unopened it is legal to transport anywhere in that state.

I guess we'll have to look into getting a carry permit (transporting alcohol unopened in a vehicle) for alcohol here in Kentucky so we don't get our vehicles seized if we wander in a dry area....(wonder if there is a Federal preemption)... lol
 

rscottie

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Messages
608
Location
Ashland, Kentucky, USA
That's even worse, he's a cop with little or no real training AND a criminal record.

Who got this joker elected?

I have no knowledge of his credentials although the Constables in my area take the same course that new Deputies take. They can ask the County Judge Executive for the funds to take the course. If the funds are not available, most Constables pay for the course out of pocket.

The Constables in this area work closely with the Sheriffs office and the court.

It appears that you hold a bias against Constables, or perhaps just this one, but the Office of Constable is mandated by the Kentucky Constitution and many are very professional.
 

rscottie

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Messages
608
Location
Ashland, Kentucky, USA
This guy scares me, he seems like a cop wannabe with some actual authority (and maybe an itchy trigger finger).

He admitted he bought his own "police" uniform (which fits his fat *** like a glove :lol:)

Just what does a Louisville constable do anyway? I remember a few years ago the metro council here in Louisville voted down a motion to allow them to use siren and lights.

Your comments are approaching LEO Bashing, which is not allowed here.

If you bothered to research the Officer of Constable, even using the links you provided, you would see that many are former Deputies or other Law Enforcement. Many have Military Backgrounds.

They buy their own uniforms because the position is an unfunded position. Wearing a uniform is defined as part of the Office and is beneficial when serving warrants, a primary role of Constable.

If you find this particular Constable to be so bad, perhaps you should run against him. If the citizens of your area feel the same, you obviously will be elected.
 

garyh9900

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2011
Messages
155
Location
KY
That's even worse, he's a cop with little or no real training AND a criminal record.

Who got this joker elected?
There is no requirement for Sheriffs to complete any police training either. There are plenty of sheriffs and former sheriffs in this state who's only experience for the office was being a member of the good ole' boys club. I have over the last several years heard cries to abolish the constables office from the state constitution or remove some of their statutory powers. But I've never heard anyone say lets remove the sheriffs powers. The legal difference between the two offices is the Sheriff has to collect taxes. Now there are some more practical differences, there are 120 sheriffs in Kentucky vs. a few hundred constables. As far as Louisville Metro wanting to pass an ordinance dictating what a constable can or cant wear is a bunch of garbage. I don't think it should be up to a city to tell a county constitutional officer what he can or can't do. We need cities, counties, states, and the feds to keep their paws out of most things.
 

MrOverlay

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2009
Messages
186
Location
Olive Hill, Kentucky, USA
So, technically speaking, I'm in violation of the law, when I drive to, say, Montgomery Co. to buy beer, daiquiris, or wine, and bring it home to Bath Co., because Bath is a "dry county"?

I'd hate to see if my home brewing of beer; compliant with federal laws, and state laws; could also be seen as illegal in a dry county through that statue when I buy ingrediants... Hmm.
No the key is for purpose of resale or transfer. An example would be if you go to Montgomery County and buy 20 cases of a particular brand of beer, for your own consumption, and bring them back to Bath County there is no problem. Now if you had for instance, 20 cases of beer, 5 of one brand, 5 of another, etc. then someone might suspect you might bs transporting for purpose of resale or transfer.

Same thing on whiskey or any other alcholic beverage.

Gary
 
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