Historical Significance:
The office of constable finds its origin in the ancient Roman civilization as Comes Stabuli (Count of the Stable) the commander of the Roman cavalry. In feudal times the office of constable was one of high military rank. The constable was the highest judge in military offenses and in questions of chivalry and honor, eventually becoming the ex officio commander in chief of the military forces.
In England shortly after the Conquest the High Office of Constable appears as the seventh great officer of the crown possessing both civil and criminal powers. Since 1521 the title of High Constable has been granted only for special ceremonies of state, i.e. Coronations etc. Petty or local constables flourished throughout parishes and townships of Great Britain and were an important factor in maintaining the King's peace and keeping good order among his subjects. In the common law, a constable is referred to as a "peace officer" or "conservator of the peace". It was the constables duty to protect and maintain the tranquility enjoyed by the citizens of a community where good order reigns among its members. Any intentional violation of which was considered a breach of the peace. Even today police officers throughout the British Empire, its protectorates, and Canada retain the title of constable.
The office of constable was transplanted in Massachusetts's colonial times with the common law. In each of the original communities, the constable was one of the first offices created and was an important factor in maintaining the King's peace in the new land. The constable continues today as a municipal officer.
M.G.L. c.41, Section I.
The office of police however, is not known to the Common law. It is a statutory office and has attaches to it only those powers provided in statute. In Massachusetts relatively few new powers are provided, the more important ones existing through the annexation of the Common law powers of constables with the exception of serving and executing civil process. M.G.L.c.41, section 98 and M.G.L.c.22, Section 9A. It is interesting to note how the common law office of constable has adapted to the changes in our society until that portion of its powers of preservation of the peace was assimilated into our present say statutory office of police. This transition eliminated the need to create an entirely new office with specifically enumerated powers and duties.

There may be a cost savings in using constable service. Constables being municipal officials travel longer distances. Since fees in part are based upon travel and the use of a motor vehicle, distance can significantly effect cost of service.
The fees for service of process in Massachusetts by Sheriffs, Deputy Sheriffs and Constables are provided for by statute and are arrived at by combining a number of items provided for in the statute. The fees charged generally include: cost of service, copies, travel, and use of motor vehicle, but may include additional fees for attachments, poundage, keepers, assistants, appraisers, posting, advertising, adjournments, auctioneers, arrests, custody, taking bail, etc. if applicable.
M.G.L.-C.262 Section 8 - There are no statutory fees for services provided by special process servers or disinterested persons.
What Can Constables Serve:
All Regular Members of the Massachusetts Bay Constables Association, Inc. are bonded in the maximum amount specified by the Massachusetts Statute, and can serve all process allowed by law.
All bonded Constables may serve, within the Cities or Towns in which they are appointed or elected, the following:
All Summons and Complaints with maximum Ad Damnum allowed by law
Writs and Trustee Process
Real Estate Attachments
Land Court Process
Executions
Supplementary Process in any Amount
Small Claims Notices and Notices To Show Cause
All Process under G.L. Chapter 239
Summary Process, Ejectments, etc.
Notices of all kinds and Demands
Capias
Probate Court Process, Domestic Relations
Subpoenas, Criminal, Civil, and Federal,and other certain Writs and Papers from the District Courts, the Superior, Supreme Judicial, and the United States District Courts
Constables may be appointed to serve all process under Rule 4-c of the Federal and Mass. Rules of Civil Procedure and the appropriate motion for use in obtaining this appointment may be found at http://www.constables-mbca.org/special-process-server-appt.php
As a disinterested person, the following may be served anywhere by a Constable, including process of all kinds not required to be served by an Officer:
Federal Summons and Complaints
Summons and Complaint for Divorce, Contempt,
Modification, and Separate Support
Criminal, Civil and Federal Subpoenas, Probate Citations,
Notices and Letters of all kinds.

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