One of the oldest police departments in Bradford County, the Athens Borough Police Department has a long and rich history. The department traces its roots back to 1831 when the borough was first incorporated. A local constabulary was established at that time. The first known reference to a chief of police for the department - "James Bennett, Chief of Police and High Constable" - was made in an article of the now defunct Bradford Reporter Journal in 1884.

Chief Mulligan, 1933

Athens Borough Honorary Police Department, circa 1901

Mr. Robert J. Mulligan later served as chief of police for 44 years. Chief Mulligan honorably served in that capacity from 1891 to 1934. Col. Robert L. Ripley of Ripley's Believe It or Not cited Chief Mulligan in 1933 as "the oldest chief of police in the United States in years of service." Chief Mulligan also previously served as the first elected sheriff of Chase County, Nebraska where he helped put down the Chase County Seat Rebellion in 1886.

Presently, the Athens Borough Police Department employs a chief of police, six patrol officers, and a civilian administrative assistant. The department patrols a land area of 1.7 square miles and serves a population of approximately 3,500 residents.

Athens Borough Police, circa 1950

Athens Borough Police, circa 1955