Wyomissing Police Chiefs
James Ely	1915 - 1924
Dutch Griffith	1924 - 1935
Benjamin Widson	1935 - 1946
Raymond E. Dissinger	1946 - 1959
Jacob L. Weber	1959 - 1974
David Y. Bausher	1974 - 1991
Donald G. Hoshauer	1991 - 1996
Jeffrey R. Biehl	1996 - Present

 

The Wyomissing Police Department has always had at least one full-time patrolman since the department's inception around the year 1915.  There was a "constable" and a "high constable".  James Ely, a former state hghway patrolman, was the first Chief of Police.  "Dutch" Griffith became Police Chief in 1924 and on March 17, 1928 the police force added a fourth man, Ray Dissinger.  During 1929, there were 2 full-time officers and 6 part-time officers and 24 hour service had been established.

 

In 1932, the force was increased to 4 full-time patrolmen, followed in 1936 by the 5th.  1936 also saw one of the worst incidents in the history of the Borough.  A wild and violent strike at the Berkshire Knitting Mills resulted in major property damage and 1 death.  Several surrounding communities lended assistance to the Wyomissing Police as well as the Mounted State Police.

 

Police Chief Raymond Dissinger talks to Patrolman Jacob L. Weber who is seated in the 1953 Ford police car.  This photograph was taken on Wyomissing Boulevard near Penn Avenue.

{1953 Patrol Car}

 

All part-time officers were dropped after World War II, and the force was increased to 6 men in 1955.  December, 1957 saw the 6th officer added.  Up until 1958, the Borough utilized one patrol car.  That year a used car was purchased and used on a limited basis as a 2nd car. 

 

 

{Police Force - 1960}

 

 

 

Starting in 1963, the department made full use of the 2nd car, and in 1971 purchased the 3rd patrol car.  In 1968, the seventh officer was added. 

 

In anticipation of the opening of the "new" Berkshire Mall in 1970, the size of the force was increased to 10. 

 

{1972}