Justifications

Northwest Arkansas Newspapers feels that it must justify Judge Jay Finch's decision to continue driving rather than pulling over for an ununiformed constable. Judge Finch did fine for himself. What this shows, however, is an inability for the paper to change directions once it sets its tone of coverage.

When Finch "ran from the law," as last Saturday's front page story would have you believe, he pointed out one fact that is all but being skimmed over. It is illegal for constables to effect a traffic stop when not wearing a uniform. The official position of the Arkansas Constable Association admits it is against the law, but says it's also not that important. Those who enforce the laws, however, must be servants of that law, following it to the letter. The problem with constables, however, is that they are elected, not hired and not trained. Effectively, the constables are barely better than volunteer cops (who receive a small salary) in that there is no requirement to undergo six months of extensive training as full-time police officers must. Many sheriffs throughout Arkansas have complained, at least off the record, that constables often interfere with official law enforcement actions. It is time for them to go away, having outlived their usefulness. Unfortunately, the only way to accomplish that would be through new state legislation, if not an amendment to the state constitution.
Maybe NWA Newspapers can re-examine its position on constables breaking the law, but I doubt we will see that. Anyone with the power to question the status quo has been long eliminated, pushed out, laid off or otherwise chased away. This is not the newspaper Benton County deserves and does not have to be the one with which it's stuck. Do something before you're cheerleaded into a community you no longer recognize.