HARRISBURG — An influential Pennsylvania lawmaker says he will propose legislation to reform the state's troubled constable system, with the goal of raising standards for the job and weeding out those who shouldn't receive badges.

"They can't be out there like yahoos," said House Judiciary Committee chairman Tom Caltagirone, a Democrat from Berks County.

In a two-part series published in July that appeared in the Butler Eagle, The Associated Press reported that constables have been involved in dozens of cases of serious misconduct over the past decade, from homicide and sexual assault to theft of court funds and weapons offenses. The AP found that minimal training, oversight and accountability were largely to blame.

Caltagirone said he had been talking with constables about possible regulatory changes but that the AP series led him to conclude that the time had come to act.

"It was like music to my ears," he said. "I thought, 'perfect timing."'

He is now working with the state constables' association on possible reforms, and plans to introduce legislation early next year, then convene hearings around the state to get public input.

"I want to weed out those that probably don't belong as constables," he said. "There has to be accountability for their actions."

Pennsylvania has about 1,200 active constables, generally elected officials who serve warrants, transport prisoners and perform other duties as independent contractors for the state's district courts.

Judges and others within the criminal justice system — including some longtime constables — told the AP that the system needs to be overhauled.

"We've tried to semi-professionalize them. I think we've come a long way," Caltagirone said. "What we need to do now is take it even further and make it a professional organization."

Emil J. Minnar, executive director of the Pennsylvania State Constables Association, told the AP on Monday he agreed with the need for change. He said the first step should be to consolidate disparate elements of state law that address constables into a single code, then determine what needs changed.

"Once you can determine those laws that are applicable, then you can determine what training is needed related to those specific functions," he said.