At its Oct. 13 meeting, the Salina Town Board unanimously approved a local law establishing the office of “Town Constable.”
During a brief public hearing about the proposed local law, Town Attorney Bob Ventre explained that town constables would serve part-time as attendants at the Salina Justice Court.
The constables would function as uniformed court attendants, Ventre said. They would be allowed to carry a firearm only if they have become qualified to carry after attending basic firearms training.
“As peace officers, the constables would be able to make arrests in court if need be,” Ventre said. Private individuals can make what are commonly known as “citizen’s arrests,” but such arrests could open the door to liability issues, the attorney warned.
Responding to a question from First Ward Councilor Coleen Gunnip, Ventre said the constables’ duties and powers could be exercised only within the Town Hall.
No member of the public commented on the local law, but Salina Judge Paul Carey, who had requested that the law be passed, said he agreed with Ventre’s description.
Currently, the town court routinely hires two off-duty police officers from local agencies and also employs John Lyons as an attendant. Lyons will now become a town constable.
The constables will provide security in the town justice court with judges Carey and Andrew Piraino presiding.
Second Ward Councilor Jim Magnarelli was absent from the Oct. 13 meeting, but the board’s other four members — councilors Jerry Ciciarelli, Michael Del Vecchio Jr., Colleen Gunnip, and Supervisor Mark Nicotra — all voted in favor of the new local law.
