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Panel advances bill to require future constables to graduate POST academy
Summary
House Bill 18-20 would require constables elected on or after Jan. 1, 2029, to graduate from a Tennessee POST-approved law-enforcement academy (grandfathering current constables); the committee adopted the amendment and forwarded the bill despite concerns about candidate costs and perceived unfunded mandates.
Chairman Russell said House Bill 18-20 aims to professionalize the office of constable with two changes: requiring academy graduation for constables elected on or after Jan. 1, 2029, and aligning required psychological evaluations with those used for other law enforcement. Russell said the bill would not make constables POST certified and would grandfather current officeholders.
Members raised concerns that the requirement could create an unfunded mandate on new candidates, with one member estimating mandatory fees of about $220,400 every four years for localities; the sponsor said the costs would generally be borne by candidates and that the change would improve professionalism. The amendment was adopted and the bill moved forward (reported tally: 5 ayes, 1 no, 1 present not voting).
