The History of the NCA

The National Constables Association (NCA) was founded in 1973 in the State of New Jersey as the National Police Constables Association (NPCA).

After a series of efforts failed to excite constable participation, the incorporator, a lone, local constable left the field. Before leaving he met with and encouraged Hal Lefcourt, then serving as Executive Director for the Pennsylvania State Constables Association (PSCA), to continue the effort.

Lefcourt enlisted the support of the President of the PSCA, Constable Larry Mascia and PSCA Treasurer, Constable E. H. “Woody Riley”, Jr. With a minimal amount of funds, they were able to communicate with potential member states in which a constable system functions.

In February 1976, the original organization was dissolved and Lefcourt, Mascia and Riley, incorporated a new NPCA in the state of Pennsylvania as a non-profit, fraternal organization.

Constable Mascia left the constable field shortly thereafter and it remained for founders Lefcourt and Constable Riley to carry on. Funds were raised to absorb the costs of communicating with existing state constable groups and to encourage their participation in a “fight for survival”… an effort to save the constable system.

Two national surveys were conducted to seek out from Attorney Generals in each of the 50 states, the names and addresses of the state constable group or individual constables and to ascertain the status of the constable system.

The surveys, in 1976 and 1980, indicated no less than 13 states had eliminated the time-honored position of the constable.

It was obvious that action had to be taken immediately to save the position of constable from extinction.

Lefcourt and Riley then called the first organizing meeting of a national board for the NPCA. The sight was Harrah’s Hotel in Atlantic City, February 22 23, 1981. Ten state presidents were invited to attend. Those who attended included the presidents of constable associations from the states of Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and Massachusetts. The first order of business saw the group vote unanimously to take the first action to restore the identity, respect and dignity once enjoyed by the constable. They changed the name of NPCA to the NCA, the National Constables Association. It wasn’t long before five more state constable groups were added as members of NCA. They included Alabama, Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana and Ohio. Then other state groups followed Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia, New Jersey, South Carolina, New York, Texas, Maine, Connecticut, Wisconsin, and Vermont.

On April 01, 2006, in Springdale, Arkansas, the NCA Board of Directors presented to the membership a new set of By Laws that had been in the works since the last convention and board meeting in Galveston, Texas, in 2005. The membership adopted the new By-laws that gave the organization a much needed change bringing the NCA into a modern day organization.

Editor's Note: The constable system is growing and growing fast since September 11, 2001. The office of constable offers new hope for state, county and municipal governments to meet the increasing demands now being felt on a national level. With the re-birth of the constable system many counties and municipalities have recognized the valuable services being rendered by today’s professional constable. Many states continue to turn additional duties over to the office of constable, lifting the burden off other departments within the law enforcement community.

Sheriffs, police chiefs and other community leaders will tell you that we don’t have the man power or the money needed today to answer the cry of citizens falling victim to an epidemic of crime plaguing rural areas as well as the inner-city streets of our cities.

The National Constables Association gives all constables a chance to take care of each other. It is the voice of the constables system. Through this organization much has been accomplished in helping better train and prepare constables to meet the challenges he may face. It is this proud tradition of service and responsibility that makes today’s professional Constable a vital; much needed component of the delivery of the justice system. NCA continues to protect the honorable office of constable, America’s First Law Enforcement. All others owe their heritage to the office of constable. The word “COP” comes from constable on patrol.

Updated: February 5, 2006
Leo M. Bullock, III
Secretary NCA

Email: TopCopNCA@aol.com