Biography

Name: Angie Sommers

Age: 44

Occupation: Retired Police Sergeant

Website:

Residence: Upper Valley

Relevant Experience: I am a 22-year veteran of the El Paso Police Department. I was accepted to the El Paso Police Academy in 1985 and moved through the department until I was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1994. As a sergeant, again I moved through the department’s various divisions. I achieved numerous certifications to include the highest certification of “Master Peace Officer.” I did this through a number of years serving my community and literally thousands of hours of training that I completed.

1. Describe the most important issue for your position.

The most important issue at this time is the relationship between the constables and other law enforcement agencies.

2. How would you describe the position?

The position is one of unrealized importance. Constables have complete arrest powers in addition to civil jurisdiction. Therefore, it is important that the citizens elect individuals who have extensive law enforcement backgrounds

3. Why do constables exist, and why should the public care about the position?

Constables are constitutionally authorized peace officers. Constables have the same arrest powers and duties as municipal police officers and sheriffs and have the added responsibility of executing civil process for the courts. Consequently, to keep the peace, the constable in Texas may perform patrol, enforce traffic regulations, undertake investigations, arrest lawbreakers, carry out executions of judgment, summons persons to aid him in his duties when necessary and to complete juries. He may seize, impound, and sell real and personal property as directed by law. The constable is also an associate member of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Although the constable is considered a local precinct officer, his territorial jurisdiction, like that of sheriff, extends to the entire county. He is entitled to serve civil process in those counties contiguous to his own, and with a warrant, to make arrests beyond the limit of his county.  To take office after election, the Texas constable must execute a bond with sureties and both take and sign a constitutional oath of office. Like all peace officers in Texas, constables can be held liable for a number of omissions or violations of duty.

 Civil court actions in the state of Texas begin with the service of different types of citations, writs, or subpoenas. The county or state charges various fees for such documents and for legal service thereof to a defendant or witness in a civil suit. Deputy sheriffs, municipal police officers, constables and private process servers are authorized to serve these civil papers. Service by a constable stands to offer a greater benefit to the local community by: bringing service fees into the treasury of the county where the service is made, effecting quicker service because the constable is most familiar with the area and its citizens and minimizing any liability of service, because of the expertise of the constable in these matters

4. How would you operate more efficiently and/or cut costs?

Currently, the constables have a very limited budget provided to them. Because of the very limited funding, in my office, there will be no waste or misuse of time or funds. I assure you, funds will be utilized in the most precise and professional manner. Moreover, I will immediately examine the use of vehicles and other equipment to make sure equipment is not being used for personal reasons.

Because I respect that fact that you as tax paying citizens do not want redundant services, and I believe that your constable’s office can offer more services, I am looking at developing an animal cruelty unit for the county. The El Paso Police Department, nor the Sheriff’s Department, although each has the talent, at this time neither departments have the staffing to develop the unit. An animal cruelty unit is sorely needed and long overdue.

5. What is the relationship between constables and other law enforcement?

Currently, some of the constables, their deputies and other law enforcement agencies do not fair well together, and this is unacceptable. There is no reason that all law enforcement in the county of El Paso should not be unison. Because of my 22 years of experience, current relationships with many police officers, sheriff deputies and many other law enforcement agencies to include TABC, and FBI, it is my intention to bond the relationships between all the agencies. I am of the opinion that all county law enforcement agencies should be prepared to assist and work as professionals in a time of need. This will be achieved with training done together in all aspects of law enforcement. As law enforcement officers, we owe this to our community, and I believe the community should expect this relationship and accept nothing less.