Schuylkill County's first Constable Review Board becomes official today.

The board is composed of Judge Jacqueline L. Russell, District Judge James R. Ferrier, Deputy Criminal Court Administrator John M. Richmond, certified constable John J. Bondura and county controller Christy D. Joy.It will investigate disputes involving constables as they arise, said President Judge William E. Baldwin.Constables are elected to six-year terms.The president judge authorizes use of constables within the judicial district.They are trained, able to be armed and work for district courts, where their duties may involve serving warrants and summons, complaints and subpoenas, collecting fines, and stepping in to protect people or property.They are paid by the county according to a fee schedule set by the state. The county is then reimbursed by the defendant."Constables have to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. They must comply with the law and conduct themselves with integrity an impartiality, and in a professional, courteous manner," he said.Private citizens also have the right to bring disputes before the board, he said.The board get the facts and make recommendation to the president judge, and the district attorney in criminal matters.Northampton and Dauphin counties are among those that have Constable Review Boards.According to state law, president judges may establish the boards.The boards are not required, Baldwin said."It's been on my list to for a long time, but it was not high priority because no disputes had arisen."But there have been some recent constable versus constable disputes, and disputes between district judges and constables, over pay and who gets paid for what," Baldwin said."They're not serious issues, just disputes. And that's what the Constable Review Board was designed to deal with," he said.