Biography

Name: Eric D. "Rick" Gammon

Age: 36

Occupation: Constable, Precinct 2 (Incumbent)

Website:  www.gammon4constable.com

Residence: Northeast

Relevant Experience: 8-year army veteran (Air Defense, Armament, and Small Arms Repair, Combat Lifesaver Qualified, Unit Armorer, Maintenance Management);  7 years as a Texas peace officer, Advanced Peace Officer Certified, Instructor Certified, experience in school-based patrol, School Resource Officer, external funding opportunities, civil process, bailiff, supervision and administration. A.A.S. and B.S. degrees in criminal justice. Incumbent, began first (vacant) term January 1, 2007.

1. Describe the most important issue for your position. 

Continuing to improve the overall professionalism, mission, and basic capabilities of the office.

2. How would you describe the position? 

Constant challenges with near-daily opportunities to help citizens on a one-on-one basis, in the most unique role in Texas law enforcement.

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

Constables are mandated by Article 5, Section 18 of the Texas Constitution, and team with justices of the peace to form the backbone of the Texas legal system. The primary duty of each constable is to act as the enforcement agent for the justice of the peace, providing bailiff/courtroom security services and serving all civil and criminal process generated by the court. Constables and JPs are the elected officials that the citizens are most likely to come into direct contact with, and as such, the public should take an active role in filling those positions during elections.

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

Constables, through service of civil process and warrants, actually generate revenue for the county, and the potential is there for constables to generate even more revenue. This would promote cost savings in other areas of county government.

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

The enforcement authority is the same, while the primary duties are different-constables work primarily with the courts, while police departments and the sheriff's office are primarily concerned with routine patrol and criminal investigation. In terms of cooperation, the relationship locally has seen slow but steady improvement in recent years. Yet, much more progress could be achieved by forming multi-agency focus groups to increase understanding amongst the agencies and through interlocal cooperative agreements.