The number of constables in Dallas County will more than double in 2017 after a total of seven were elected in November and sworn in Friday at the courthouse.

Circuit Judge Marvin Wiggins asked each one to raise their right hand and repeat after him, as they took their oath.

“I will faithfully and honestly discharge the duties of the constable of Dallas County to the best of my ability, so help me God,” Wiggins said before congratulating each one on their swearing-in.

The constables are Lola Sewell, Jasper Bowie, Lee Green Jr., Charles Mills, Lee Anthony Moore Sr., Christopher C. Peterson and Bert A. Scott.

“I’m proud that they asked me to run, and I’m glad that I got a chance to maybe help the community,” said Charles Mills, who will serve as constable for the first time.

“Me being a private investigator, I’m hoping this will actually help me with other things going on in law enforcement and things like that.”

Bowie, who was elected to a second term as constable, said he is proud to have the chance to serve the community again. He was one of three constables that served during his last term and has an extensive background in law enforcement.

“I worked 15 years with the police department, and I learned a lot working over there,” Bowie said. “I was part of the SWAT Team and emergency team, and I was a volunteer firefighter. I like working with people. That’s my main goal.”

With the increase of constables, Bowie hopes to increase their role.

But what is a constable and what do they do?

Constables are one of the oldest forms of law enforcement known to man. They are also known as peace officers.

According to the Code of Alabama, the duties of a constable are “to attend circuit court of the county when summoned by the sheriff, to execute and return all summons, executions and other processes directed to him by any lawful authority, to pay over moneys collected by virtue of his office to the person entitled thereto and to perform such other duties as are or may be required of him by law.”

Constables have the authority to make arrests and enforce the traffic and criminal codes of Alabama.

“Most counties don’t have them because most people don’t utilize them or understand what they really are, but peace officers help create peace,” Wiggins said. “I’ve asked each one of them to go to the code to make sure they understand their responsibilities and their roles and then get with the sheriff here in Dallas County, so they can understand their requirements.”

More than half of the 67 counties in Alabama do not have constables.

Dallas County is one of about 30 that still do, according to Chauncey Wood, president of the Alabama Constable Association.

Wiggins said having constables can be a good thing because it adds more law enforcement officers.

“You can always never have enough law enforcement personnel,” Wiggins said. “You can use them to supplement what you do in terms of forest fires, traffic control, they are used in those instances for keeping the peace. You don’t want to put them out there in the line of fire.”

Constable is not a paid position.

The new constables will take office in January.