Special Constables - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition special-constables

Definition :

Special constables, persons appointed by justices of the peace to assist in keeping the peace 'on the oath of a credible witness that any tumult, riot, or felony has taken place or may be reasonably apprehended in any parish, township, or place,' if the justices are of opinion that the ordinary constables are insufficient for that purpose. See Special Constables Act, 1831, s. 8 of which imposes a penalty for each refusal to serve when duly called upon, while s. 2 allows a Secretary of State to order persons to be sworn in though exempt by law, and s. 196 of the (English) Municipal Corporations Act, 1882, by which borough justices 'shall appoint in October in every year so many as they may think fit of the inhabitants of the borough, not legally exempt from serving the office of constable, to act as special constables in the borough.' There are also Acts of 1835 and 1838 dealing with the subject.

By the (English) Special Constables Act, 1914, as amended by the (English) Special Constables Act, 1923, power is given to His Majesty by Order in Council to make regulations with respect to special constables. See (English) Special Constables Order, 1923. As to Scotland, see s. 1 (3) of the Act, and the Special Constables (Scotland) act, 1914.