A 1200 WOAI news exclusive report earlier this week that Bexar County Commissioners plan to eliminate 15 Constable's positions as part of their 2019 budget sparked a major backlash at the Commissioners Court meeting today, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Many constables pleaded for their jobs, and even offered to work for lower pay.
Joann Gutierrez says she has been a certified law enforcement officer for 14 years, and brought her daughter to the courthouse.
"My story is not unique," she said. "It is shared by my fellow brothers and sisters in the constables office in Bexar County, because we all have families to support. I don't speak for myself, I speak for everyone."
Precinct Two elected Constable Michelle Vela said she is already dealing with a slimmed down force.
"When I took office in 2017, six deputies were taken from me," she said. "If I combine both percentage, I am at a 45% reduction in work force with my officers."
Many Constables pointed out that as Bexar County expands, their office is involved in more and more activity, and is expected to do it with fewer and fwer people.
Constables are certified Texas peace officers. They generally perform duties like serving civil warrants, evictions, and traffic control, although they are licensed to make arrests and investigate crimes.
Attorney Nicole Henning warned that any further cuts to the Constable force would leave the county in legal jeopardy.
"The county's actions in reducing staff under the current conditions will violate numerous state and federal laws," she said.
She also said that Commissioners' ideas about how to save money appear to be pretty selective.
"The Commissioners Court, all the while providing itself with three sizable salary increases since 2016, believes that the prudent thing to do for this community is to cut services.