Pima County Leaders Select New Constable for Justice Precinct 9

The Pima County Board of Supervisors has appointed Matthew R. Leve as the new constable for Justice Precinct 9 in a unanimous vote held on Tuesday. Leve is set to begin his duties on January 1.

A Tucson native, Leve brings extensive law enforcement experience, previously serving with the Pascua Yaqui Police Department from 2009 to 2021 and spending a decade at the Arizona Department of Corrections. He received his AZPOST law enforcement certification in 2001 and emphasizes his commitment to community service in his application letter.

The appointment follows a unique election cycle, where Justice Precinct 9 had no candidates on the ballot for the constable position during the November 5 election. The prior incumbent, George Camacho, was disqualified due to insufficient signatures, leaving the constable seat vacant.

The only contender for the appointment, Gerard Acuña, had attempted to run as a write-in candidate but did not gather the necessary 492 votes in the July primary.

Constables play a crucial role in law enforcement, delivering essential court papers, including eviction notices and orders of protection. The risks associated with the job were tragically highlighted when Constable Deborah Martinez was fatally shot in August 2022 while executing an eviction.

Recent incidents have underscored the potential dangers constables face. On October 23, Constable Bill Lake was attacked with bear spray during an eviction. The assault resulted in significant damage to his vision. Lake, a Republican incumbent, lost his re-election bid to Democrat Christopher Toth in the recent election.

In light of these events, District 1 Supervisor Rex Scott has called for a review of safety procedures for constables. He stated that there should be consistent practices regarding when constables seek backup from law enforcement, emphasizing the need for a unified response to safety concerns. “There shouldn’t be variations in practice. We need to ensure that when constables require help, those requests are prioritized by police,” Scott remarked after the meeting.