The Northampton County Court of Common Pleas recently created a Constable Review Board to address the problems of some elected Constables who are overstepping their authority by acting as police officers, or conducting themselves in a manner that intimidates or harasses residents in some communities.
It is a problem that is becoming more commonplace, as some Constables in Pennsylvania are apparently believing that all their duties of more than a century ago, when they were a policing authority, are still in force today.
Most Constables today, stay within the guidelines of working for the judicial system, or as peacekeepers who only act upon a disturbance of the peace when they actually witness such an event. They serve a purpose by taking the burden of many mundane duties that would require actual police officers being removed from public safety duties.
However, since Constables are elected and not hired by a governing body or appointed by the judiciary, this allows a few throughout Pennsylvania to obtain a position of authority they should not have. Power goes to the head of some and their training is minimal, unlike police officers who attend an academy and must partner with a certified police officer for 100 hours before they themselves are certified and can then work alone.
A recent example of Constables acting as police occurred outside Northampton County when a group of 4 or 5 Constables began patrolling downtown Stroudsburg in Monroe County, much to the dismay of Borough officials and local police. One Constable was cited for his vehicle having dark tinted windows, having the word, “police” on his vehicle, and a spotlight on the vehicle.
Locally, Constable Richard Seeds of Easton has had problems. In September he was convicted of disorderly conduct. Even his own lawyer said it was a case of an “ego getting out of hand.” His past indiscretions included accusations of pointing his gun at two 14 year-olds over a stolen bike, use of excessive force, and settling (along with 2 other Constables) for $329,000, a lawsuit over shooting 3 dogs while searching for a man who had unpaid parking tickets.
Our own newly elected Constable Mezzacappa seems prone to act as a police officer. She has issued written warnings to her own neighbors, though she is admittedly selective about which ordinances she will enforce. Most recently, she covered West Easton street signage with political campaign signs the day before the election, as well as putting campaign signage on properties without owners permission.
The need for a Constable Review Board is apparent and was long overdue, as it is required by every county to have one.
If you have a complaint about any Constable in Northampton County, more information about the Review Board and how to file a complaint can be found HERE.
UPDATED 12/22 to correct a reference to sign ordinances.
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER
AND NOW, this 18th day of October, 2016, The Northampton County Court of Common Pleas formally creates the Constable Review Board, as more fully described hereafter. The President Judge makes the following appointments to the inaugural Board:
Judges Michael J. Koury, Jr. and Samuel P. Murray are appointed to the Board. Judge Koury is appointed Chairman of the Board.
Northampton County Constable Kevin Spano is the Court’s appointed constable to the Board.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
