Duties

History

Charlton has employed Constables since the Town’s founding in 1792. A Constabulary is the oldest form of Law Enforcement in the U.S. and is still widely used today. Over the years their role has changed along with the times; today responsibilities include:

• Court security
• Prisoner transportation
• Staff security
• Regular Patrols & Community support

Court Security

The court is in regular session on Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm. All court sessions address a variety of legal issues. During all court proceedings, a safe and orderly environment is our primary concern. We maintain decorum during all formal and informal courtroom sessions. The Constables provide security for the judges, court personnel and the public.

Prisoner Transportation

During criminal proceedings, all individuals who have been remanded to the county, are transported by the Constables to and from the court. All transportation takes place in the departmental vehicle.

Staff Safety

While the court is in session and the time immediately afterwards, the Constables provide a safe and secure environment for all courtroom personnel.

Regular Patrols & Community Support

Constables are radio dispatched by the Saratoga County Sherriff’s Department and the New York State Police. Additionally, the Constables have a radio directly connected to the Glenville Police Department.  Charlton’s five part-time offers patrol the Town 6 hours per day and provide support for a variety of community functions, e.g., Party in the Park, Founders Day Parade, Explore Charlton, etc. They also provide house checks for residents who are going away and request the service.

Qualifications

All Constables must go through the New York State approved Peace Officer Training as outlined by the Department of Criminal Justice and Firearms training.

Employment

Anyone interested in applying for a position as Town Constable should contact the Town Board and cc: Tom Parks, Senior Constable.