Jackson’s Clements elected president of constables’ association

The Tennessee Constables’ Association Annual Training and Convention recently met at the DoubleTree Hotel in Jackson. There are approximately 370 constables in the State of Tennessee with about 250 being members of the TCA. 

Constables are sworn law enforcement officers that are required to do 40 hours of training every year like all other law enforcement officers. 

Constables are the oldest form of law enforcement and elected in their districts by the citizens similar to county commissioners. They serve the public at their own expense and provide many community services at no cost to the public.

Last year the TCA produced a video, encouraged churches to use it, and posted it on their website for the Tennessee Constable Association concerning scams and fraud with assistance from Union University. 

On it was State Senator Ed Jackson, District Attorney General Jody Pickens, Sheriff Julian Wiser, County Commissioner Mike Bryant, TCA Executive Director Steve Mangrum, Chamber of Commerce CEO Kyle Spurgeon, Emergency Management Association of Tennessee President Ron Watkins and Public Information Officer Constable Marty Clements.

Constables are currently or retired military, police, sheriff deputies, federal agents, medical professionals, emergency management personnel, volunteer firemen, teachers, and other business professionals. 

They serve in the community as members of Shrine, Lions, Rotary, Fraternal Order of Police, church boards, athletic volunteer coaches or officials and many other public servants’ positions. 

Some have received awards including the Governor’s First Responder Award, Hall of Fame, Paul Harris Fellow, Life Saving and others.

Officially they provide free law enforcement force multipliers in support of other law enforcement agencies, serve papers, provide traffic control, search & rescue, public security, teach community safety courses, and present a professional public law enforcement presence. 

Their service can save their local county thousands of dollars by performing their sworn duties. 

The recent training convention brought important tourism funds to the West Tennessee area and was represented by many local constables. 

Dyer County Constable James Sansom serves on the board. Madison Constables who serve: Ricky Martin as Chairman of the Board, Jimmy Jordan is a board member, Fred Cunningham is Vice President, David Lacy serves as West TN training Officer, and Marty Clements is the newly-elected as TCA President.