KLEC News
Newly Elected Constables
As of January 1, 2023, if a newly elected constable chooses to obtain law enforcement powers and become a certified peace officer, he/she shall first successfully complete all Peace Officer Professional Standards (POPS) and a Kentucky certified law enforcement basic academy. For those newly elected individuals that choose not to exercise police powers, he/she will maintain the Constable title and will be able to serve court documents and provide other duties afforded by statute but will not have arrest authority or be able to exercise the duties of a sworn law enforcement officer.
Please reference 2022 HB 239 which states, “After January 1, 2023, no constable who is elected for the first time or a deputy constable appointed pursuant to Section 12 of this Act shall be granted the powers generally applicable to peace officers and police officers unless the individual has been certified and maintains his or her certification pursuant to KRS 15.380.”
A newly elected constable that has previously been POPS certified or desires to become POPS Certified, must initiate the process by providing all required documentation to the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. The appropriate forms can be found on the KLEC web site and must be submitted by email to KLECS@KY.Gov.
The following list of documents must be submitted for KLEC to initiate and complete the process for a Constable to become a certified peace officer.
Certificate from the County Board of Elections (County files)
Oath of Office from the swearing in (County files)
Additionally, a constable who becomes certified shall maintain the minimum annual training hours as required by KRS 15.380, or that Constable will automatically lose his/her law enforcement authority.
Please contact KLEC for assistance and to schedule your regional POPS testing at 859-622-6218, or by email at KLECS@KY.Gov.