Each town shall elect, at its regular municipal election, unless otherwise provided by law and except as provided in section 9-185, not more than seven constables; except that the town of Groton may elect fourteen constables. When the number of constables to be elected by any town is even, no person shall vote for more than one-half the number; when the number to be elected is odd, no person shall vote for more than a bare majority of the number. The candidates in number sufficient to fill the office of constable who have the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.

(1949 Rev., S. 507, 515; 1953, S. 681d; 1957, P.A. 128, S. 2; 1961, P.A. 15, S. 3; P.A. 73-655, S. 2; P.A. 76-173, S. 8; P.A. 82-239, S. 5, 7.)

History: 1961 act removed obsolete reference to office of grand juror which was abolished in 1959; P.A. 73-655 added provision referencing amendment to Sec. 9-185 permitting town, by ordinance, to provide for appointment, rather than election of constables; P.A. 76-173 changed “town” to “municipal” election; P.A. 82-239 removed the obsolete reference to the agent of the town deposit fund.

Constable chosen and sworn and rechosen the next year may act, although not resworn. 1 R. 83. See 5 C. 278. A constable can be chosen only at the time or under the conditions prescribed by statute. 1 R. 136. Town officers, elected for a year, usually hold until the incumbent's place is supplied. 6 C. 438. Where a public duty is imposed, commensurate power is implied. 38 C. 50.

Cited. 40 CA 643.