Vacant posts
Of the 28 constable positions in Franklin County, only 13 are filled, according to the Office of the Clerk of Courts.
Most positions on the list kept by the clerk read "vacant."
Why such little interest in being a constable? Nunn said it is because few people really know what a constable does.
Constable is a locally elected position that has only one mandated obligation in its six-year term -- to police the polls on election day, Larsen said.
However, constables serve arrest warrants and hearing notices for Franklin County's lower court system.
Unlike Maryland, which uses the county sheriff's department to serve warrants, Franklin County leaves that work up to the constables, said Nunn, a retired Anne Arundel (Md.) County police captain.
Certification needed
In order to do the work that is waiting on his desk, Larsen said he had to be certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Certification comes through the state after 80 hours of training and 40 hours of weapons training, Larsen said.
"Oh yeah, we are armed," he said, tapping the glove compartment of his SUV, where his gun is stored.
To maintain certification, Larsen said he must do 20 hours of additional training each year.
Once certified, a constable can work anywhere in the state, Nunn said.
While the training is mandatory, he said the best preparation for being a constable is a background in law enforcement.
There is a difference between police and constables, though, Nunn said.
"We are the oldest law enforcement entity in the state, dating back to the days of William Penn," he said. "The difference is we cannot arrest someone unless we have a judge-issued warrant in our hands."
Critical role
Constables play a critical role in the justice system, Magisterial District Judge Duane Cunningham said.
Cunningham said he will not work with just any constable. As a judge fairly new to his bench, he said he needs to trust the constable.
"I won't use a constable unless I feel it is someone I can trust," Cunningham said. "Fortunately, the ones I know in Franklin County are very trustworthy, and get their work done and to the court on time."
Trust is important, especially in civil matters, which cannot proceed until defendants are served, he said.
Certified constables work at the discretion of the court, Magisterial District Judge Gary Carter said.
Constables are paid for their work, but the state and county do not fund the position.
Carter said constables make their money through fees paid by defendants in his courtroom.
Reaching in his desk, Larsen produces a sheet of paper that details every charge he can bill to a defendant.
By serving a warrant, he makes $25.
By transporting an incarcerated defendant to his or her hearing, he makes $38, plus 59 cents per mile.
Fortunately, there is plenty of work through the court of Magisterial District Judge Larry Pentz to make a living, Larsen said.
"The money kind of trickles in," he said. "I'd say last year, I made about $60,000."
Constables also spend a fair amount to do their job, Nunn said.
"We have to provide our own weapon, provide our own vehicle, pay for our own gas, provide our own handcuffs and buy our own uniforms," he said.
For a constable starting out, it can be difficult, Nunn said.
Nunn only has been a constable for one term, so he said he still is investing in his job.
Whether or not he will be a constable for the next six years is in the hands of voters in Greene Township, where he was elected in 2003.
Ten people filed with the county in March to run for constable.
The only contested election will be for Nunn's seat. Jason Bitner is challenging him in the Republican primary on May 19.
"I guess someone else is interested," Nunn said. "Before I ran six years ago, I noticed that every election, there was no name on the ballot for constable."
While Nunn has to campaign to keep his position, he said he is glad others are interested in being constable.
Constable is not a job for everyone, he said with warning in his voice.
In fact, it can be a dangerous job.
Sitting in his SUV outside a house in Waynesboro, Larsen said he never knows what will greet him when he knocks on a door to serve a warrant.
Often, it is just the echo of his knock in the empty house.
Occasionally, it is an unhappy defendant.
But always, he is prepared.
"We are public servants," he said. "This job, however, is what you make of it."
