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Board appoints Matthew R. Lev as constable for Justice Precinct 9; board asks for review of constable procedures
Summary
The Pima County Board of Supervisors unanimously appointed Matthew R. Lev on Dec. 17 as constable for Justice Precinct 9, effective Jan. 1, 2025.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors unanimously appointed Matthew R. Lev on Dec. 17 to fill the constable seat for Justice Precinct 9, effective Jan. 1, 2025.
Supervisor Christie moved to appoint Matthew R. Lev; Supervisor Scott seconded the motion. After remarks from supervisors about the risks constables face and the qualifications expected for appointments, the board voted unanimously to approve the appointment.
Supervisor Scott urged the board and county administration to examine the long‑standing role of constables, calling the office “archaic” and urging state‑level change in the long term. Scott asked the county administrator to report on whether Pima County constables follow common procedures when requesting law‑enforcement support and to explain how local agencies prioritize calls for assistance from constables. Scott also noted that constables are constitutional officers and that eliminating the position would require state action.
Several supervisors noted recent violent incidents involving constables and supported additional safeguards. Earlier in the meeting constable William Lake Wright recounted an October 23 attack during an eviction in which he was intentionally sprayed with bear spray and described ongoing injuries; supervisors publicly thanked him for his service and asked county administration to follow up on the recommendations he made, including consideration of deputies and additional screening/training requirements.
The board did not enact ordinance changes at the meeting; instead it voted to appoint Lev and directed the county administrator to provide an analysis of constable procedures, interagency assistance protocols and whether additional onboarding requirements (background checks, polygraph or psych evaluations) are feasible for appointed constables.
Motion: appointment of Matthew R. Lev as constable for Justice Precinct 9. Outcome: approved unanimously. Effective date: January 1, 2025.
