Lawmakers OKs bill putting constables on ballot

The General Assembly passed legislation this week returning the issue to county ballots, and Rep. Jason Mumpower, R-Bristol, said Wednesday the bill he’s sponsored only needs Gov. Phil Bredesen’s signature to become law.

Mumpower had been asked by the Johnson County Commission to fix a problem with state law that would have abolished the office of constable in the county in 2006 because of its growing population.

The legislation also restores law enforcement powers to constables. Johnson County Attorney Bill Cockett said last year that constables had no real law enforcement powers under state law.

Former Hardin County Constable Ted Cook said he lost his job after the General Assembly passed a measure in 1993 that inadvertently resulted in the abolishment of the constable’s office in counties falling under certain population categories.

The three counties had grown into the population classification that calls for the abolishment of constables.