The 18th century legal writer Thomas Edlyne Tomlins, in an 1820 legal dictionary, defines "conservator of the peace" as a person who until the creation of the justices of the peace by King Edward III, had "an especial charge to see the king's peace kept" either as incident to other offices or of itself.
[1] At common law, sheriffs and sometimes constables were regarded as conservators of the peace within their county, and constables and tythingmen were also seen were regarded as conservators of the peace within their jurisdiction.
[1] The role of "special conservators of the peace" still exists in the U.S. state of Virginia.
These individuals are appointed by a Virginia Circuit Court to perform certain duties and responsibilities within a geographically limited jurisdiction, and are regulated by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services.
Security guards are often special conservators of the peace in Virginia.