In the years before 1900 most of our local communities didn't have a local police department or anyone authorized to act in a law enforcement capacity.  Instead

Oswin Reinhard

they relied on county detectives.  After the Pennsylvania State Police were established in 1905, they could respond to crimes in the local towns as well.

            After all, there were fewer laws to enforce and crime wasn't near as much of an issue as it is today.

            The Pennsylvania State Police was the first uniformed police organization of its kind in the United States.  The original complement was limited by law to only 228 men. They were to patrol Pennsylvania's entire 45,000 square miles.  Our region was served by Troop C out of Reading, PA.

            As the small villages in the area became towns and the population increased, the need arose for some type of local law enforcement.  There became a need for a law enforcement official, located nearby, who could have a presence in the community, respond quickly to emergencies and patrol the streets.

            Some municipalities had a constable but that person wasn't a law enforcement officer, didn't patrol, and usually responded to the scene of a crime well after it happened.  In fact, the job duties of the local constable often included serving as road supervisor, health officer, lamplighter, and other duties.  Pennsburg's first constable

Once hired, Reinhard was given a badge, uniform, handcuffs, and other equipment needed to perform his police duties.

was Samuel Kepler.

            After years of trying to secure a "special" law enforcement officer and electing several different individuals (who all turned down the position), the borough of Pennsburg finally swore in their elected police officer in April 1906. Oswin Reinhard, a five-year resident of the borough, was elected by the borough council.

            The reason it took so many years to get a candidate to take the job was, well, it was an unpaid position and nobody wanted to take on the responsibilities without getting a paycheck.

            In 1906 Pennsburg borough council finally decided to make it a paying position and quickly jumped on the opportunity to elect Reinhard.

            Upon accepting the job, the newly hired special officer received a badge, uniform, handcuffs, and other equipment needed to discharge his duties.  Most importantly, the officer would receive a stipulated annual salary–less than $10 per week.

Pennsburg hired their first police officer in 1906.

            At the time Reinhard was a local cigar-maker with a wife and young daughter.  He was described as a good citizen of sterling character.  At six feet tall and weighing 200 pounds, officials proclaimed that his strong personality, common sense, and good judgment would undoubtedly make him an ideal officer and a terror to all evildoers.

            Part-time police officers would patrol the borough for many decades until the 1950s when a full-time officer was hired.  In the 1960s Pennsburg added a second full-time officer.

            That sufficed until 1973 when Pennsburg and East Greenville police departments merged.