[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Killingworth 8-13-1977. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The First Selectman for the Town of Killingworth shall appoint such number of regular constables as he/she deems necessary, but not more than seven. Such appointments shall be made without regard to race, creed, color, sex or political party of the appointee. In addition to such authority, the First Selectman shall have those powers for appointment of special constables as are set forth in §§ 7-92 to 7-96, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes. The First Selectman of the Town of Killingworth shall set minimum qualifications with respect to training and education.
The regular constables shall be appointed for a term of two years beginning the second Tuesday next following the date of the municipal election. Thereafter, any constable shall be eligible for reappointment for any number of subsequent two-year terms. Special constables shall serve for terms of not more than two years, as determined by the First Selectman, or during any public celebration or gathering or any riot or unusual excitement.
All appointments to the office of constable shall be registered with the office of the Town Clerk and such information shall be public information. Each record shall contain the name and address of the appointee, the length of time for which said appointment is made, the compensation or the rate of compensation to be paid to each appointee, if any, and the appointee's residence.
Any vacancy which may occur through death, resignation, failure to post bond, failure to take the oath of office or in any other manner may be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the First Selectman.
The First Selectman shall have the right to remove or suspend any constable for cause. Any constable to be removed or suspended shall have the right to an administrative hearing by the remaining members of the Board of Selectmen concerning such removal or suspension if the constable requests such a hearing within two weeks from the date on which the First Selectman mailed notice of removal or suspension. Such hearing shall be held within two weeks from the date of the request of the constable and the constable shall be notified at least three days in advance of such hearing date. At such hearing the party may appear in person and may be represented by an attorney. Said remaining Board members shall reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify any decision as in their opinion shall be made, but in the event that they should reverse the First Selectman's decision wholly or partly, they shall only do so by the concurring vote of two members.
[Amended 6-11-2008]
No person shall enter upon the duties of constable until he/she has complied with § 7-88 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, as amended.
No judge, except a judge of probate, and no justice of the peace shall hold the office of constable.
Constables who hold office by virtue of election at the time this chapter becomes effective shall continue in such office until their elective term has expired.