Constables tell grievance committee understaffing, training and community duties justify higher pay

Multiple constables described operational pressures they said justify a larger salary increase than the 3% in the county’s proposed budget. Constable Ruben C. Tejeda said his office serves many courts and a wide geography, noting staff perform civil process, warrants and community‑oriented functions: “We have 500,000 people over 500,000 people in each of the precincts,” he said while describing roughly 24 deputies in his office and extensive travel demands.

Constable Diza Vasquez and Constable Kat Brown recounted examples of recent calls, staffing shortages and community programs such as school drives and pantries that they said are supported out of pocket. Brown described officers being shot at while serving writs and said those duties — and annual mandated training — should be reflected in compensation. Several members of the committee asked whether these operational concerns should be addressed through office budgets rather than individual salary increases; one committee member suggested equipment and staffing are more appropriately funded through general budget lines than through increases to elected officials’ personal compensation.

The constables said their offices handle public safety tasks and community engagement that go beyond desk work, and asked the committee to recognize those obligations when making its recommendation to Commissioners Court.