What is a constable?
Q: What is a constable?
A: A constable is a person who performs a certain job, most commonly in law enforcement.
Q: Where does the word constable come from?
A: The word constable comes from the Latin, comes stabuli, count of the stables. It originated in the Eastern Roman Empire and originally referred to someone who kept horses for a lord or monarch.
Q: How has the role of constables changed over time?
A: In many countries, the title of constable became associated with high military rank and great officer of State such as Constable of France. In modern times, they are usually law enforcement officers with varying levels of power depending on their jurisdiction.
Q: What is the lowest rank for police officers in some countries?
A: In the United Kingdom, Commonwealth nations and some European countries, a constable is typically considered to be the lowest rank for police officers.
Q: How do US Constables differ from other jurisdictions?
A: In the United States, Constables are usually elected peace officers with less powers than sheriffs. However, in Channel Islands they are elected office-holders at parish level.
Q: Are there any historical roles related to being a Constable?
A: Historically there have been positions similar to that of Constable such as Marshal which was derived from Old High German marah "horse" and schalh "servant", meaning stable keeper - this has similar etymology to Constable - as well as someone responsible for defending castles; even today there is still an appointed Constable at Tower of London.
