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Tex. Local Government Code § 86.0021

This is the official text of Tex. Local Government Code § 86.0021, part of Texas’s Local Government Code — governs the powers and operations of Texas cities and counties.

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§ 86.0021. QUALIFICATIONS; REMOVAL.

Official statutory text

(a) A person is not eligible to serve as constable unless:

(1) the person is eligible to be licensed under Sections 1701.309 and 1701.312, Occupations Code, and:

(A) has at least an associate's degree conferred by an institution of higher education accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;

(B) is a special investigator under Article 2A.002(a), Code of Criminal Procedure; or

(C) is an honorably retired peace officer or honorably retired federal criminal investigator who holds a certificate of proficiency issued under Section 1701.357, Occupations Code; or

(2) the person is an active or inactive licensed peace officer under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code.

(b) On or before the 270th day after the date a constable takes office, the constable shall provide, to the commissioners court of the county in which the constable serves, evidence that the constable has been issued a permanent peace officer license under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code. A constable who fails to provide evidence of licensure under this subsection or who fails to maintain a permanent license while serving in office forfeits the office and is subject to removal in a quo warranto proceeding under Chapter 66, Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

(c) The license requirement of Subsection (b) supersedes the license requirement of Section 1701.302, Occupations Code.

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

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