East Fork Constable Paul Gilbert to retire after nearly 40 years in office

After nearly 40 years as East Fork Township constable, Paul Gilbert is retiring at the end of the year along with the office he’s held since the Reagan Administration.

Gilbert decided not to run for another term in the office he’s held since 1983. Gilbert also serves as East Fork Justice of the Peace Pro Tem and is the longest serving elected official in the county.

Douglas County commissioners are scheduled to review a draft ordinance dissolving constable as an elected office and moving those duties to the Sheriff’s Office.

The Office of the Constable for the Tahoe Township was abolished in 2003.

Since that time, Gilbert provided support services for both the East Fork and Tahoe Townships.

With his decision to not run for re-election, commissioners will consider abolishing the Office of Constable for the East Fork Township and having the Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley act as the ex officio Constable for both the Tahoe and East Fork Townships, which is allowed under state law.

Although not required by statute, Gilbert has received training from the Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission.

“It is believed that continuing to have an individual with POST training serve as the ex officio Constable will be in the best interest of the citizens of Douglas County and will allow the services provided by the Constable’s Office to be continued through oversight by the Sheriff’s Office,” officials said on Friday.

Gilbert will remain responsible for his duties through Dec. 31, when his term expires, and will work with the sheriff’s office to transition duties.

The ordinance requires two readings by county commissioners, where the public will have the opportunity to comment.

The functions of the Constable’s Office are set by state law. The responsibilities of the office include supporting the execution of documents, orders, and evictions that are issued out of the Justice Courts. The position is paid with county funds out of the general fund.