Constable wars

A dispute among Southern Nevada constable offices has gotten uglier and deserves legislative attention.

In Nevada, constables are peace officers elected in each township and charged with serving subpoenas, handling evictions and delivering jury summonses for a justice of the peace. In some larger cities - such as Las Vegas or Henderson - taxpayers cover support staff.

Clark County is home to 11 constable offices.

The controversy arose in 2010 when Las Vegas Township Constable John Bonaventura raised a stink over outside constable offices operating in his jurisdiction. Some offices with less backlog can apparently carry out jobs in a more timely fashion than others, potentially saving money for those in need of constable services. In some townships, however, constables and deputies get paid by the transaction, providing an incentive to operate outside their jurisdiction.

But last week, an attorney for the Legislative Counsel Bureau issued an opinion holding that state law does not authorize constables to work outside the areas in which they are elected. "A constable acting outside of his or her township would be wholly unaccountable," Brenda Erdoes wrote in the opinion.

This is only common sense. Why elect constables and delineate boundaries otherwise?

But North Las Vegas Constable Herb Brown and Laughlin Township Constable Jordan Ross remain defiant. Mr. Ross said he's "just ignoring" the opinion, while Mr. Brown tactfully called Ms. Erdoes' finding "a bunch of crap."

It's true that the opinion has not been tested in court - although Ms. Erdoes' conclusion could certainly be used as grounds to challenge a subpoena served out of jurisdiction. But it's troubling that sworn peace officers would so cavalierly dismiss the work of a legislative attorney who interprets state statutes for a living.

At the very least, the 2013 Legislature needs to clarify the statutes on this matter, preferably to back up the Legislative Counsel Bureau's opinion. And while they're at it, lawmakers might take the opportunity to examine whether we really need 11 constable fiefdoms in Clark County - or whether consolidating some of these offices could lead to improved efficiency and better customer service.