Precinct One

Prior to being elected Williamson County Constable Pct. 1, Mickey Chance served with the Travis County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) for over 26 years. Mickey retired as a Sergeant from the TCSO in 2017 after 26 years of service.

As a native of the Austin area, he lived most of his life in Williamson County. Mickey graduated from Round Rock High School and earned his bachelor's degree in Business Management from Concordia University in Austin, Texas. Additionally, he has completed many hours of Law Enforcement Training. Mickey holds a peace officer certification from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

Mickey is an avid outdoorsman and played baseball in High School and College. His hobbies include kayaking, hunting, and reading as well as walking his beloved beagle, Bibi. Mickey has been married to his wife Judy, a teacher at Westwood High School, for twenty-eight years.

Texas Constables & Their Authority

A Constable is a licensed, commissioned peace officer, elected by county constituents every four years for a particular area (Precinct) of that county. Each Constable's Office is a separate and unique law enforcement agency, independent of all other county departments, elected officials, and law enforcement agencies.

Constables have the same duties and powers as any other Texas peace officer, such as municipal police and Sheriffs, and may enforce all criminal laws, traffic laws, and conduct criminal investigations. In addition, by statute, Constables must serve all warrants, precepts, and civil process lawfully directed to them. Therefore, the Constable is the chief process server for court and the Justice Court. Constables are required by law to provide a bailiff for the Justice of the Peace.

Constable's History

The Constable is the oldest law enforcement position in the world, first mentioned in England at the beginning of the 5th century, where it was known as the Count of the King's Stables. By the turn of the 6th century, the Constables were the Chief Household Officers and commanded the King's Armies in the King's absence. In the year 871 AD, King Alfred of England, declared the Constables to be the highest judge of military offenses and in matters of chivalry and honor. The Constable was also named by the King to be the supreme arbitrator in tilts, tournaments, and martial displays. Becoming noted peacekeepers under King William "The Conqueror" in 1066, the Constable and their responsibilities were expanded with the adoption of the Magna Carta, which became the pattern for most of the world's constitutions and described Constables for the first time in written law.

In Texas on March 5, 1823 Constable Thomas Alley was appointed in Stephen F. Austin's original colony and sworn in by Judge John Tumlinson. Later, another Constable was sworn in by Judge Tumlinson, thus making the two Constables the first law enforcement officers in Texas. The office of Constable was later written into law in the Texas Constitution, stating the Constable would be elected by the people in each area, known as precincts. In Galveston County, all Constable's Offices trace their origins back to 1838, when the county of Galveston was formally established.