As a result of the community pressure, the Argument Court of Montgomery County, during its September 1931 Session, handed down a decision giving supervisors of a second class township permission to use road tax money to support a police department.
In September 1931, the Upper Merion Township Supervisors officially appointed Lester Smull of Mount Pleasant as “policeman of Upper Merion Township.” The supervisors voted Smull a salary of $100.00 per month and authorized the purchase of a uniform, a gun, a badge, and a two-door sedan.
Previously, the township was policed by two constables. The Bridgeport Police Department would come into Upper Merion to assist, and investigations were usually conducted by the State Police or by the Norristown Police Department.