A newly elected constable was questioned by sheriff's deputies after allowing a friend to fire his county-issued handgun into the air at a party...Naturally. And it's nice to see the "Authorized Journalists" at the AP continue to run interference for the police state by not disclosing the offending "Only One's" name.
The constable and the homeowner appeared to be drunk...Neither man was charged.
No matter, KDBC 4 News is on it:
...Jose Maldonado...
And get this--he's a Republican...
Who replaced a corrupt Democrat:
Cameron County Precinct 1 Constable Saul P. Ochoa will spend the next 57 months in federal prison. The convicted constable was sentenced this morning in U.S. Federal Court for selling marijuana confiscated in drug seizures.Which apparently is the type of law enforcement they want down there, because Maldonado beat the known thief by less than 400 votes. Is it safe to assume that if you're dealing with a "lawman" in that part of the country, you're dealing with a criminal, and your safest course might just be to repel them?
Here's the responding deputy's report. How nice to see such professional courtesy. He records "bloodshot eyes, slurred figure of speech [sic], unsteady balance and a very strong odor of alcohol emitting from his breath," and then says "I was not going to relinquish [sic] his weapon because he was a peace officer with the county and needed his weapon for work."
Perhaps I'm being unfair, and am just jaded by too much exposure to stories about police corruption. Perhaps Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio can restore my faith in justice for all, with no special privileges and immunities for those entrusted with a badge.
Why don't we see?
As soon as I post this, I'm going to add its url to this email and send it off (click to enlarge):
Naturally, I'll post any response if I get one.
3 comments:
What powers do constables have in Texas? In Kentucky, they are elected, and the only official duties they have are 1) Serving Papers, 2)Shooting rabid dogs, 3) Shooting distempered mules (yes, this is listed as one of their granted powers). Of course some of the more gung ho ones attempt to play LEO. They are usually slapped down pretty quick. The local sheriff here does use them to help with prisoner transfers over long distances.
My sister is married to one of the elected Democrat ones in Texas.
They seem to also have powers regarding child and family welfare and truancy issues besides serving papers.
I call him a glorified dog catcher. I'll give him credit for the fact that if any of his jr constables start trying to be wannabe LEOs and act as such he suggests they apply to a sheriff's or police department.
http://www.co.cameron.tx.us/CONSTABLES/New%20Folder%20(2)/duties.htm
Duties of a Constable
Constables are constitutionally authorized peace officers elected by precincts, holding office for a four year term. There are seven Constables within Cameron County . The fundamental duty of a Constable is to serve as “bailiff” Officer of the Justice of the Peace Courts. Serving as Officer of the Courts the Constables duties would consist of serving subpoenas, warrants of arrest and other papers issued from the Justice of the Peace. Constables often are called upon for other duties such as criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, and other duties as necessary. Constables are to preserve the peace and good order of their precinct, and other precincts within the county, and to arrest, where authorized by the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, offenders against the penal Laws of the State of Texas , taking them without delay before the proper Magistrate or Court to be tried. The Constable and his Deputies are fully licensed peace officers trained and ready to deal with any type of criminal activity in the precinct.
Post a Comment