The Borough of Port Oram was established in 1895. That same year William Hance was named the first Borough’s Police Marshall. The Borough of Port Oram was changed to the Borough of Wharton on April 16, 1902. The first jail was located in the basement of Hyman Freeman’s Boot and Clothing Store on South Main Street. The Police Department was originally located in Borough Hall which was located on West Central Avenue. We are still located in the same general area but the building was replaced years ago. The Wharton Police Department has had a total of 11 Marshalls/ Chiefs since it was established. The following men lead the department over the past 118 years. Marshalls William Hance, Joseph Mankie, John “Tug” McDonald, William Bross, Dewitt Quinby, Chief Everitt Dibble, Chief David Jones, Chief Abe Hocking, Chief William Hocking (1963-1982), Chief Henry Doblosky (1982-1984), Chief Joseph Hornyak (1984-1989) ,Chief Anthony Fernandez (1989-2019), and Chief David Young 2019-Present

In 2002, the Borough of Wharton and the Township of Mine Hill entered into a contract for Wharton Borough to provide police services to Mine Hill Township. As a result of the contract the Borough expanded its force to adequately provide services to both municipalities.

In 2011 the Wharton Police Department began the New Jersey State Chiefs of Police Accreditation process. This process is to gain significant professional achievement, which acknowledges the implementation of policies and procedures that are conceptually sound and operationally effective. The department earned the status of an Accredited Police Agency in 2013. We have successfully maintained that status tri-annually through present day.

The current Wharton Police structure consists of a Chief, two Lieutenants, four Sergeants, two Detectives, twelve Patrol Officers, a Class III Special Officer, and two civilian employees in the Records Bureau. The department is also responsible for the employment of eight full time, and four part time crossing guards, and four police matrons.