Constable Candidates Face New Training Rules Under HB 239

Those filing for the office of constable in Jackson County this election cycle will face new restrictions under a state law that significantly limits the powers of newly elected constables unless they meet state certification requirements.

House Bill 239, which became law in April 2022, was designed to professionalize the role of constable across Kentucky.

The measure grandfathered current constables, allowing those already in office to retain their existing authority. However, anyone elected for the first time on or after January 1, 2023, will no longer have general police powers unless they become certified through the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT).

Under the new law, a newly elected constable or a deputy constable appointed under the same provisions will not be granted the powers generally applicable to peace officers and police officers unless they have completed the state’s required training and received certification under KRS 15.380.

The law also allows constables to apply for training at any Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (KLEC)-approved basic training course, with cost allocations determined by the department. HB 239 requires the Department of Criminal Justice Training to accept at least one qualified constable per training class, ensuring an opportunity for those seeking certification.

Constables who apply but fail to complete the academy successfully will not be granted police powers, leaving their duties limited primarily to serving court papers and performing other non-law-enforcement functions.

The legislation’s intent was to ensure that only those with proper law-enforcement training could exercise police authority, addressing long-standing concerns about safety and consistency across Kentucky’s 120 counties.

Those who have filed for constable in the May 2026 primary should be aware of the change. While incumbents in Jackson County will maintain their current powers under the law’s grandfather clause, first-time candidates elected in 2026 will have to complete the required training if they wish to exercise arrest powers, conduct traffic stops, or perform duties similar to certified peace officers.

The new law effectively separates certified law-enforcement constables from those without training, marking a major shift in the role of the office — one that will have a direct impact on rural counties like Jackson, where constables have long played an active role in public safety.