York City Chiefs of Police
In 2008, York City Police historian John Stine finished his research to compile a list of Police Chiefs and Commissioners that have commanded the York City Police Department.
Prior to 1855, the High Constable was elected and had charge of the Watchmen. 1855 found the first reference to the Chief of Police (actually found as Chief Police).
In Pennsylvania, a Police Chief (or Chief of Police) is the head of a police agency that has completed the necessary training as required by Act 120 to provide law enforcement in the Commonwealth. A Police Commissioner is the head of a law enforcement agency that is not Act 120 certified. Typically, a Police Chief will come up through the ranks within the department, whereas a Police Commissioner will usually be a person hired from outside the department to lead the agency.
This roster was updated in July of 2020, expanding on John Stine's initial research, which now includes detailed lengths of service as well as additional information and error corrections.
Joseph K. Sharp
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Joseph Ruby
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Samuel Warring
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Joseph Ruby
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Samuel Warring
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James Kendig
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Frederick A. Zorger
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H. Samuel Spangler
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George W. Powell
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Samuel A. Bookman
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Walter B. White
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Peter G. Reisinger
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Jacob Hose
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Charles A. Bush
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Charles K. Binder
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Fred W. Kottcamp
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Harvey C. Myers
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Fred W. Kottcamp
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John F. Buttorff
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William C. Craver
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John F. Buttorff
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Adam H. Stevens
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Michael J. Schwint
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Charles P. Gerber
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William A. Eisenhower
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Nelson L. Shultz
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Jeremiah Sipe, Jr.
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Jacob W. Hose, Sr.
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Jeremiah Sipe, Jr.
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Jacob W. Hose, Sr.
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Gorman J. Christine
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Richard K. Johnson
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William J. Bynane
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Ira W. Bohn
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William H. Kapp
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Leonard L. Landis
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Elmer C. Bortner
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Wayne A. Ruppert
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Anthony N. Potter, Jr.
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Thomas V. Chatman
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William M. Hose
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William E. Smith
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Thomas C. Gross
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Russell L. Clanagan
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Thomas C. Gross
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Herbert F. Grofcsik
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Michael R. Hill
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John S. Senft
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Mark L. Whitman
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Wesley A. Kahley
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Troy M. Bankert
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Osborne Robinson III
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Daniel Aikey
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Michael Muldrow
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NOTES
1) In late 1860, John Minnen was apparently named to be the new Chief of Police to succeed Chief Samuel Warring when the new administration took office in April 1861. However, an article in the December 25, 1860 York Gazette newspaper mentions that John Minnen had resigned from the position. Since he apparently never actually held the position, his name is not included in the roster, but included here for historical reference.
2) Sergeant Harvey C. Myers was appointed as Acting Chief of Police for one week in July of 1916 while Chief of Police Fred W. Kottcamp and his wife were on vacation.
3) Police Chief Jere Sipe was stricken by illness in April of 1948, and was unable to return to work until November of 1948. During his absence, Capt. Jacob W. Hose, Sr. was named Acting Chief of Police.
4) From January 2, 1956 to December 31, 1961 the York Police Department had both a uniformed Chief of Police and a civilian Police Commissioner to lead the department. The police commissioner was to fulfill a campaign promise by mayoral candidate Fred A. Schiding to provide civilian oversight of and reform to the polcie department. An ordinance had been passed in February of 1952 creating the position of police superintendent, but the position required the city council to confirm the nomination of the mayor for the position, and it had never been filled. The "civilian" commissioner, William J. Bynane, spent 29 years with the Pennsylvania State Police, retiring at the rank of First Sergeant. Bynane resigned on December 31, 1961 as a new mayor-council form of government had been adopted for the city, a new Republican mayor had been elected, and the police commissioner position was likely to be abolished.
5) On December 17, 1971, when Elmer C. Bortner was promoted to head the police department, then Public Safety Director Leslie Jackson abolished the postion of Chief of Police and replaced it with the position of Colonel of Police. Jackson felt the rank was more in line with the duties of the office, and mirrored a similar rank in the Pennsylvania State Police, where Jackson retired from in 1963 after 26 years of service. The position appears to have changed back to Chief of Police in January of 1974 after a new mayor took office and a new public safety director was appointed.
