By: Lt. Edward Black, Jr.

At the Commissioners meeting on February 17, 1903, it was Resolved that:

"The Commissioners establish a police force for the township of Cheltenham, and that the President be, and he is hereby authorized and instructed to employ in his discretion a suitable Chief of Police at the earliest possible time, and additional officers, not to exceeding seven in number, and provide their necessary equipment as mounted police."

Five candidates were interviewed for the position of Chief of Police on March 7, 1903 in the Ogontz, on Old York Road. John Saddington was elected for the position with a two year appointment, as a monthly salary of $75.00, and began his tenure as Chief on March, 1903.

In organizing the department, Chief Saddington made his first official appearance at a Commissioners Meeting on March 14, 1903, where he began building the police department by recommending the appointment of 7 patrol officers to be mounted, at a salary of $12.50 a week ($50.00 per month). He also recommended that a horse with a two-wheel vehicle be furnished to him to oversee all of his operations, and that the township be divided into 7 districts for policing purposes.2 The police district/beat plan proposed by Chief Saddington that evening, stayed in effect with the little change for 70 years.

Around 1973, the Lynnewood Gardens section was split from the Melrose Park, and became the 8th police patrol district. It became known at the 8 th sector plan, and remained in force for 29 years, until the Township was split again, this time into 12 patrol sectors, A thru L, to assist with the directed patrol policing concept.

Five (5) men were selected as officers that night, "they to furnish uniforms and all necessary equipment." These original officers were Charles Bechtel, William Goering, George Carpenter, and John White.

Four days later on March 18th the final 2 officers, Henry Fries and John W. Chen were appointed police officers. Chief Saddington was authorized to purchase 2 suitable horses and a road cart, and to secure a place for stabling horses.

At the same time, the first speed limit ordinance fixed the speed limit in Cheltenham Township:

"at which automobiles and bicycles are to be propelled upon the public highways: 12mph in the open country; 7mph through towns and Villages..."

It did not take the new officers long to make their mark. The first police commendation in Cheltenham was awarded to Officer William Goering, on May 5, 1903, for the, "Commendable Service" he rendered in saving lives in a fire in Oak Lane on April 18. At that time, one Charles Miller of Oak Lane, "expressed his satisfaction" with the new police department. One can only wonder if Mr. Miller was one of those saved by the officer. In the middle of June of that year, the residents of LaMott commended Officer Carpenter, and requested that he become the permanent officer in their district. Among other issues addressed by the fledgling department during the summer of 1903 was having officers patrol after midnight, and having more police assigned to deter drunken visitors to the New 2nd street park area on Sundays.

On August 2, 1904, another police position was created to be a "Houseman" to take care of the building. This position became a permanent House sergeant in the first week of October, at the same pay as police officer. Plans were also made to increase the department by 2 more officers, and to move the department into the new township building.

The chief ordered new equipment in 1905, when he was given permission to purchase 2 pairs of handcuffs, whistles & clubs for police use. During that year, approval was given to run an extension wire to the police chief's house so he could receive calls "at all times". It was installed by the D&A,T,& Co.

1905 was not without problems however. One officer was fired for failure to properly patrol his beat, and another suffered an illness necessitation hiring a temporary officer until he recovered.

In March on 1906, Chief of Saddington was reappointed for two more years. He instituted pro-active speed enforcement beginning with a new ordinance that:

"Speed limit of automobiles not to exceed one mile in six minutes. First Offence: $10-$25 or up to 5 days in county. Second offence: $25-$100 or jail as provided by Act of Assembly April 19, 1905?"

In terms of 1906 money, this was an amazingly heavy dine for speeding over the new 10mph speed limit. To assist with the enforcement, the chief purchased a stopwatch for each officer on the department, "To properly enforce the automobile ordinance."

Today's police officer sometimes become involved in traffic accidents while performing their duties. In 1906, officers and their horses fell down. In October of that year officer Gohring injured himself, and his horse, when they had a fall. The horse has to be replaced, and at the same time, plans were made for additional mounts for the officers. Two additional officers were hired.

The chief became involved in a personnel action in February of 1907, when he disciplined an officer with intent to dismiss, for being off his assigned beat on several occasions, and for also being "slothful and negligent". The involved officer had witnesses write letters, and testify to the board of commissioners on his behalf. As a result, Chief Saddington was given 30 days to reorganize the department "with a view to more harmonious action without discharging anyone..." At the same time, the department investigated its first recorded murder.

On April 1, 1907, Saddington resigned as chief of police, closing the history on our founding Chief. One can only surmise that he was not able to harmoniously reorganize the police department to the satisfaction of the Board of Commissioners. He was replaced by J.S. Garwood, who lasted approximately three weeks, and was replaced by Officer Morris who was made the acting chief of police. Morris served about a month, until the new chide, Robert Lindsay, was appointed on May 1, 1907.

Chief Lindsay immediately submitted recommendations for "the greater efficiency of the police department". He had call boxes installed at strategic locations throughout the community, "for better communications", appointed a sergeant to act as the Chief's assistant, "and to assume command in his absence"; hired an additional officer to replace the sergeant; and hired a cleaning woman to keep the building clean. Finally, he replaced two crippled police horses.

In the following right months, the department made 210 arrests.

The department was increased again in 1909, the new officer to be used to arrest speeders. Early in 1910, Chief Lindsay added photography equipment to the police inventory, and continued to expand the department. A police Lieutenant was added to a growing organization in January of 1913, increasing the contingent to seventeen persons, which included a First Sergeant, and Sergeant. The lieutenant was put in charge of all investigative work for the department, and also had a telephone put into his house. Chief Lindsay resigned from the department on December 5, 1912, and was given a ÒLetter of EsteemÓ by the Board of Commissioners.

Chief Jens K. Jensen replaced him on that date. Jensen served for about thirteen months. At the commissioners' meeting on January 5, 1914 it was decided not to renew his term when it expired "...and that the present Chief's term expires February 28th, 1914..."

Chief Gideon Lever replaced Jensen on March 1, 1914. Lever was apparently a professional who wanted a disciplined Organization, and had a keen interest in new investigative technology. He had the "Patrol" wagon overhauled for better use, and replaced it with a new one a year later. He had the department equipped with "Rubber Coats." ItÕs hard to imagine an organization working without issued raincoats for eleven years. During February of 1915, the commissioners recommended giving the Chief of Police a private office for the first time.

Lever fired three officers during his first year for neglect of duty, and disrespect to others, and, he became famous in the criminal justice world in 1915, for being the first to ever win a criminal conviction in Pennsylvania using fingerprints.

Joseph S. Kennedy, outlined the circumstances of this case in an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer written in 1998, citing information from the 1983 book "Montgomery County, the Second Hundred Years". According to Kennedy,

"...In fall 1915, a burglary occurred at the Wyncote home of John Taylor. The value of the stolen items was put at $900. Gideon Lever, Chief of Police in Cheltenham Township and a student of the science of fingerprinting, was the chief investigating officer.

Lever found fingerprints in the Taylor house and photographed them. Further investigation turned up suspect: Benjamin Decker, who had been seen in the area peddling shoestrings door to door.

Decker was then in a Philadelphia prison, serving a short sentence for stealing a policeman's badge. Lever had him brought to Cheltenham police station for fingerprinting, and a comparison was made with the prints taken at the Taylor house.

Lever was convinced they were the same. Decker was indicted and brought to trial...At Decker's trial in December 1915, the prosecutor was unable to present a witness who could place him at the Taylor house. The main evidence was the fingerprints taken by Lever...the court instructed the jury "to give proper consideration to this new form of evidence...The jury took four hours to return a verdict of guilty. The court sentenced Decker to five years in prison."

Lever continued his innovations, and was the chief who mechanized the police department away from horses, although he initially encountered skepticism to his idea.

In March of 1916, Lever recommended the firing of another officer. The police committee upheld the recommendation of the chief, fired the officer, and requested that Chief Lever resign effective March 21st. Lever refused to resign and Theo Hallowell was named acting Chief of Police. Lever still would not resign and applied to the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County for an injunction temporarily restraining Hallowell from acting as Chief of Police.

The Court held the matter under advisement until April 22, 1916, when the ruled against Lever. On May 2, 1916, the Commissioners appointed The Hallowell as the new Chief, a position he held for almost forty years, when he retired, and was replaced by Chief Clarence Johnson in 1956.

For more information, please visit: http://www.cheltenhamtownship.org