Constables

Del. Code tit. 24, ch. 56
in effect

Del. Code tit. 24, § 5601 Objectives.

The primary objective of this chapter is to regulate the commission of constables employed with various public and private entities within the State and to ensure that proficiency standards for commissioned constables are maintained. In meeting its objectives, the Constable Board of Examiners shall develop standards assuring professional competence, shall conduct and adjudicate at formal hearings, shall promulgate rules and regulations, and shall impose sanctions where necessary and appropriate. The Board shall comply with the Administrative Procedures Act under Chapter 101 of Title 29.

Del. Code tit. 24, § 5602 Definitions.

As used in this chapter: (1) “Board” means the Constable Board of Examiners. (2) “Commission” means authority issued from the Board empowering a person or persons named in an application to exercise jurisdiction, perform the duties, and exercise the office of a constable within this State. (3) “Employer” means an individual, person, nonprofit organization, the State, county, or a municipality. (4) “Firearm” means as defined in § 222 of Title 11. (5) “Full service police agency” mean a police force or police agency of the State, county or municipality, that employs sworn police officers as defined in § 8401 of Title 11, and is responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the enforcement of the laws of this State or other governmental units within this State. (6) “Projectile weapon” means as defined in § 222 of Title 11. (7) “Section” means the Professional Licensing Section of the Delaware State Police. (8) “Superintendent” means the Superintendent of the Delaware State Police.

Del. Code tit. 24, § 5603 Constable Board of Examiners.

(a) There is created a Constable Board of Examiners which shall administer and enforce this chapter. (b) The Board consists of 7 members: (1) The Superintendent of the Delaware State Police or the Superintendent’s designee. (2) The Director of Public Safety of the New Castle County Police or the Director’s designee. (3) The Attorney General or the Attorney General’s designee. (4) A representative from the Delaware Police Chiefs Council, or the representative’s designee. (5) Three commissioned constables, 1 of which shall be employed by a higher education institution and 1 of which shall be employed by a healthcare institution. All 3 commissioned constables shall be appointed by the Governor. (c) The Superintendent of the Delaware State Police, or the Superintendent’s designee, shall serve as the Chair of the Board. (d) The term of each member, excluding the Chair, whose term is indefinite, will be for 3 years. (e) The Board must hold a minimum of 1 regularly-scheduled meeting, each calendar year, and such other meetings as the Superintendent deems necessary or as requested by a majority of board members. (f) A board member may be suspended or removed by a majority of the full Board for misfeasance, nonfeasance, or malfeasance. A board member may appeal any suspension or removal to the Superior Court. (g) Actions of the Board may be taken by majority vote of those present at board meetings where a quorum has been established. A quorum is a majority of the Board. All voting shall be done in person at regular or special meetings of the Board.

Del. Code tit. 24, § 5604 Duties and responsibilities of the Board.

The Board has the authority to: (1) Promulgate, adopt and, from time to time, revise such rules, regulations, and standards not inconsistent with the law as may be necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter. (2) Review applications and grant commissions for constables upon review of an applicant’s background, criminal history, work experience, and any other information the Board deems necessary. (3) Conduct such further inquiry and investigation as the Board deems appropriate in order to satisfy itself of the good character, competency, and integrity of the applicants. (4) Appoint and commission those applicants who have, as determined by the Board, satisfied the requirements of this chapter and its rules and regulations, and who are otherwise qualified to serve as constables. (5) Establish minimum qualifications for applicants by rule or regulation, and yearly continuing legal and in-service training requirements for commissioned constables. (6) Deny an applicant a commission, or suspend or revoke the commission of a constable, where the applicant or constable fails to meet required standards or violates this chapter, or violates a rule or regulation promulgated under this chapter. (7) Promulgate rules and regulations for commissioned constables to carry and use, while on duty, batons, night sticks, chemical spray, conducted electrical weapons, canines, firearms, and projectile weapons. (8) Establish standards and requirements for firearms training and training in the use of force, including the use of deadly force, for constables applying to the Board to carry firearms or projectile weapons while on duty. Constables who fail to meet the standards for carrying a firearm or projectile weapon or fail to successfully complete firearms or projectile weapons training are prohibited from carrying a firearm or projectile weapon while on duty. (9) Grant or deny renewal applications. The Board has the authority to deny renewal of a constable’s commission where the constable fails to meet the required standards of this chapter or violates a provision of this chapter, or any rule or regulation promulgated under this chapter. (10) Conduct hearings for denial, suspension or revocation of a commission. (11) Issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses, order discovery for the production of documents, and administer oaths to persons testifying at hearings. (12) Establish reasonable application and renewal fees that equate with all costs necessary to defray the expenses of the Board.

Del. Code tit. 24, § 5605 Duties of the Professional Licensing Section.

(a) The Professional Licensing Section shall do the following: (1) Keep a register of all constable commission applications, including approvals and denials thereof, and of all renewal applications. (2) Be responsible for recording and maintaining the minutes of all board meetings. (3) Keep a complete record relating to board meetings, including but not limited to, rosters, amendments to the Board’s rules and regulations, investigations, fees, hearings, and such other matters as the Board determines. (b) The Professional Licensing Section may suspend, revoke, or issue an emergency suspension, of a commissioned constable who has been arrested, when the arrest may result in a felony or misdemeanor conviction, or where the commissioned constable has violated this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated under this chapter.

Del. Code tit. 24, § 5606 Commissions.

(a) All applicants must provide the Board with proof of employment with an employer and the required documentation, from the employer, as required under § 5607 of this title, prior to being commissioned or recommissioned as a constable. (1) All commissioned constables must notify the Board immediately if their employment with the employer at the time of their original application or their renewal application is terminated. (2) All employers that employ commissioned constables must notify the Board immediately if a constable in their employ is terminated. (b) The Board shall have the authority to deny a commission for any constable whose employer fails to show that the proposed commission will be in aid and relief of full service police agencies and is necessary to protect life and property in circumstances where full service police agencies are unable to assist. (c) No current sworn or civilian personnel employed by a Delaware law-enforcement organization, as defined by the Police Officer Standards and Training Commission, or current sworn or civilian member of a law-enforcement organization in any other state or federal jurisdiction shall be commissioned as a constable. (d) No sheriff or deputy sheriff shall be commissioned as a constable for the benefit of the sheriff’s office or the government of a county unless a request has been made by resolution of the appropriate county council or Levy Court. (e) All applicants shall provide the State Bureau of Identification with their names, weight, hair color, eye color, current address, legal residence, and any other information necessary for the Bureau to obtain a report of an applicant’s entire state criminal history and entire federal criminal history pursuant to the Federal Bureau of Investigation appropriation of Title II of U.S. Public Law 92-544. (f) Upon appointment as a constable, the Professional Licensing Section shall issue commissioned constables a commission certificate and identification card. No commission certificate or identification card issued pursuant to this chapter shall be transferable. (g) The term of office for all constables shall be 2 years from the date the constable was commissioned. (h) Upon expiration of a constable’s term of office, the constable may request that the Board renew their commission. Approval for renewal shall be within the discretion of the Board.

Del. Code tit. 24, § 5607 Qualifications and training.

(a) All applicants and commissioned constables must meet all requirements of this chapter and all rules and regulations promulgated by the Board. (b) Anyone who wishes to be commissioned under this chapter, must meet and maintain the following requirements: (1) Must be a minimum of 21 years old. (2) Must not have been convicted of a felony. (3) Must not have been convicted of any misdemeanor within the last 7 years prior to the date of application, which involves a theft-related offense, drug offense, or offense involving moral turpitude, or any misdemeanor that, in the discretion of the Board, bears such a relationship to the performance of a commissioned constable as to disqualify the individual from receiving a commission; and, a. The individual has had no more than 2 misdemeanor convictions during the individual’s lifetime; and b. The misdemeanor convictions did not occur during the individual’s employment as a constable regulated under this chapter. (4) Must not have been adjudicated delinquent for conduct as a juvenile, which if committed as adult would have constituted a felony. (5) Must not have been dishonorably discharged if the individual is a veteran of any branch of the armed forces. (6) May not be a current sworn or civilian employee of any Delaware law-enforcement organization, as defined by the Police Officer Standards and Training Commission, or current sworn or civilian employee of a law-enforcement organization in any other state or federal jurisdiction. (7) Must be fingerprinted and provide the required identification information and personal description to the State Bureau of Investigation for purposes of the Bureau obtaining a complete state and federal criminal background report. (8) Must provide written documentation, at the time of original application or renewal, from an employer, stating that the applicant is employed or has been offered employment with the employer, and the employer requires a commissioned constable to protect life and property in circumstances where public law enforcement can not assist. (c) Commissioned constables shall receive such additional training or in-service education as required by the Board.

Del. Code tit. 24, § 5608 Oath.

Upon appointment, the Board shall issue to each constable a commission and the constable so appointed shall, before acting or performing duties as a constable, take and subscribe, before any officer authorized by the laws of this State to administer oaths, the oath or affirmation prescribed by § 1 of Article XIV of the Constitution of Delaware. The oath or affirmation shall not be recorded at the recorder of deeds.

Del. Code tit. 24, § 5609 Powers and duties of constables.

A commissioned constable shall: (1) Work within the lawful duties of such commissioned constable’s employment to protect life and property, and preserve peace and good order. (2) Exercise the same powers as peace officers and law-enforcement officers, including the power to direct, control, or regulate vehicle and pedestrian traffic, in order to protect life and property, while in the performance of the lawful duties of employment. (3) Execute all lawful orders, warrants and other processes directed to the constable by any court or judge of this State. (4) Notify the full service police agency, having primary jurisdiction over the location under a constable’s scope of employment, upon the constable’s exercise of lawful authority to make an arrest in the performance of the constable’s duties. It shall be the responsibility of the full service police agency to undertake any necessary investigation and to comply with the reporting demands of the State Bureau of Identification.

Del. Code tit. 24, § 5610 Badges.

A person who holds the office of constable shall have and display on proper demand a badge, approved by the Board, with the word “constable” engraved thereon. A constable may have and display such badge only while on duty and while in the performance of the lawful duties of employment. The name of the person, firm, corporation, civic association, or governmental entity employing the constable shall be plainly inscribed on such badge. Only state agencies may use the State Seal on any constable uniform, equipment, or badge.

Del. Code tit. 24, § 5611 Jurisdiction.

Except as otherwise provided by law or limited by the Board the jurisdiction of each constable, commissioned under this chapter, shall extend throughout the State.

Del. Code tit. 24, § 5612 Disciplinary proceedings; appeal.

(a) Subject to the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Board, the Board may impose any of the following sanctions set forth in subsection (b) of this section if a finding has been made by the Board that a constable has engaged, or is engaging, in any of the following activities: (1) Working as a constable without a commission. (2) Failing to maintain training and in-service requirements. (3) Has a felony or prohibited misdemeanor arrest or conviction under § 5607 of this title. (4) Failing to notify the Board of termination of employment. (5) Working outside the lawful duties of employment as a constable. (6) Submitting false or fraudulent information on any application for commission. (7) Failing to surrender a revoked identification card or badge. (8) Failing to carry or display a board-approved constable badge during the scope of employment. (9) Violating any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated by the Board. (b) Disciplinary sanctions. — The Board may issue the following sanctions for violations under subsection (a) of this section: (1) Permanent revocation of commission or identification card. (2) Suspension of a commission. (3) Issuance of a written reprimand. (4) Denial of the issuance of a commission or identification card. (5) Denial of an application to renew a commission or identification card. (6) Issuance of an administrative penalty of no more than $100. The failure of a constable to pay the administrative penalty within 30 days after the penalty has been assessed shall be grounds for suspension or revocation of the constable’s commission. (7) Any other disciplinary sanction permitted by law. (c) Procedure. — (1) After receipt of written notice from the Section of the Board’s proposal to deny, suspend or revoke a commission or identification card, the constable shall be afforded a hearing before the Board. (2) The constable shall submit in writing, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the written notice of a proposal to deny, suspend or revoke, a request for a hearing before the Board. (3) A hearing panel consisting of 3 members of the Board shall be convened to hear the appeal. The panel shall be comprised of the Chair of the Board or the Chair’s designee, a board member from a police agency, and a board member from a constable agency. (4) The constable shall appear in person and may be represented by counsel. The constable may present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and obtain the issuance of subpoenas under subsection (d) of this section. The Delaware Rules of Evidence will apply to the presentation of evidence. A record shall be kept of all public hearings, a transcript of which shall be provided, at cost, upon request. All decisions shall be by a majority of the members of the hearing panel. (d) The Board may issue subpoenas, sua sponte, or at the request of the constable, and order discovery in aid of investigations and hearings under this chapter. Subpoenas shall be signed by the Chair of the Board and may be served by any sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or any member of the Board. Proof of receipt of the subpoena shall be made to the Board. Issuance of subpoenas and all discovery shall be subject to the same limitations as would apply in a civil action in the Superior Court. Provided, however, that subpoenas and discovery, in aid of investigation, are first to be reviewed by the Attorney General to determine whether there is reason to believe that there has been a violation of this chapter.

Del. Code tit. 24, § 5613 Judicial review.

(a) A constable aggrieved by a decision of the Board under § 5612 of this title may obtain a review of such decision by filing an appeal with the Superior Court no later than 30 days after the Board’s decision. (b) Any party to the proceeding before the Board’s hearing panel may intervene in the Superior Court appeal process. (c) No objections not raised before the Board’s hearing panel shall be considered by the Superior Court, unless the failure or neglect to raise such objections is excused because of extraordinary circumstances or where the interests of justice so require. (d) An appeal to the Superior Court shall be an appeal on the record.

Del. Code tit. 24, § 5614 Exclusion from coverage.

Constables appointed pursuant to this chapter are not covered by the provisions of the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights under Chapter 92 of Title 11.
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title24/c056/index.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026

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