The force was created on 21 February 1836, at which time it had a strength of 30 constables, two sergeants and two inspectors.
[1] Towards the end of the 19th century, Reading Borough Police had increased in size to 62 officers.
However, the local population had risen to around 60,500, which meant one officer for every 1,000 inhabitants.
[3] The first chief constable was Henry Houlton, a sergeant from the Metropolitan Police, who was appointed in 1839.
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