Story Created:
Nov 18, 2009 at 5:45 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Nov 18, 2009 at 7:24 PM CDT
HENRY COUNTY, TN - A local constable is suing the county and the sheriff.
Thomas Tharpe is one of five constables in Henry County, Tennessee, but he's the only one gearing up for a fight in court.
Last spring the Tennessee Legislature passed a bill allowing counties to limit a constable's powers. In July the Henry County Commission passed a resolution that removed law enforcement powers from constables.
Word of the lawsuit is travelling quickly through the county as people decide if communities really need a constable.
WPSD Local 6 first met Henry County Constable Thomas Tharpe five months ago. The day we interviewed him the County Commission passed a measure stripping him of some powers.
A decision Henry Count Sheriff Monte Belew supported then and backs now. "We believe constables are basically a thing of the past. For the last decade constables have made no arrests but yet three constables have been arrested in Henry County," Belew said.
Thomas Tharpe is now suing the Sheriff and Henry County in an effort to have his powers restored. He filed a complaint in Henry County Circuit Court. Tharpe wants the court to give him back the power to arrest people and run emergency equipment on his car.
County resident Wilma Farras thinks there's plenty of protection around town and doesn't see a need for constables.
"It's an old thing. We don't need them any more. We have ample amount of deputies and ample amount of police officers," Farras said.
Latasha Chantler likes knowing constables are in the community. "I think they do a good job," Chantler said. "I think they do a lot considering their job."
"We have invited each constable if they want to retain their law enforcement powers that they could become part of the Henry County Sheriff's Office reserve unit," Belew said.
A decision Thomas Tharpe hasn't made yet. Tharpe wants the powers restored until his term ends in August 2010. WPSD Local 6 placed a call to Tharpe's attorney and we have not heard back from him.
To read the entire complaint filed in Circuit Court, click here.
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Elvis Presley said on Friday, Nov 20 at 4:33 PM
Constables do not get paid and have no training whatsoever...they are a law suit waiting to happen. This is a new era; yesterday is gone.
32435671scott67 said on Thursday, Nov 19 at 4:53 AM
if your a policeman and havent made any arrests you are not needed and to file a lawsuit is ignorant, obviously if you were doing your job we would not be having this conversation.
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