About the Reading Police Department

The City of Reading (Pennsylvania), the county seat of Berks County, is situated along the Schuylkill River, and located 55 miles northwest of Philadelphia. The community is a highly diversified community, rich in historical and architectural heritage. Reading was settled by William Penn and other Quakers in 1748. The neighborhoods feature beautiful architecture ranging from Federal style row homes to magnificent Victorian mansions.

The Reading Police Department has an annual budget in excess of 23 million dollars.  The Reading Police Department has a 2006 authorized strength of  234 personnel, 207 of whom fill sworn positions.  The Reading Police Department has an authorized strength of 162 police officers (who may also fill a detective position), 32 sergeants and seven lieutenants.  The executive staff of the Reading Police Department consists of the chief of police, one deputy chief , two inspectors and three captains.

According to the mission statement of the Reading Police Department, “The primary goals of the Reading Police Department are many and diverse. They include the protection of life and property, resolution of conflicts, and provision for a feeling of security in the community. The Department also endeavors to reduce the opportunities for the commission of crime through prevention strategies and identification, apprehension, and prosecution of offenders, as well as the preservation of the peace in the City of Reading.”

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