Bushkill Township Police Department

History
Bushkill Township has been in existence since 1763 and was incorporated in 1813. It encompasses 25.8 square miles.

The history of the Bushkill Township Police Department is one that could be elaborated on greatly if most of the early Township records were not lost or destroyed. What is known about early law enforcement in Bushkill is that George Stadler was elected the Township’s first constable in 1813. Constables were the main form of law enforcement in the Township until the 1950’s.
Tom Nottle was the Township’s only police officer for many years until he was joined by his assistant and eventual replacement, Howard Kostenbader. In 1972 Howard became a full time officer and the Chief of Police for Bushkill Township. It was also in 1972 that Stanley J. Coopersmith became a part time officer in the Township. Police operations were run out of Stanley’s home until the 1980s. In 1986 the police department was relocated to the Bushkill Township Municipal Building, and has been there ever since.
Chief Kostenbader retired in 2003 and Stanley Coopersmith became Chief. Chief Coopersmith retired in 2013 and Captain Michael McLouth was promoted to Chief. The current force consists of 13 full time and 5 part time officers. The department has two detectives, a K-9 unit, a School Resource Officer, two Motor Carrier Enforcement Officers, and two officers certified in Child Safety Seat inspections.