Wherever the English settled, they used the same Justice system model: it was always Sheriffs, Constables, and Magistrates. This model was already set in place by the Duke of York throughout the Province of New York before William Penn arrived. The Court at Upland was in operation since the English conquest of New Orange in 1674. It wasn’t until 1678 that the first Constable served the Court at Upland as a Province of New York Constable.
Before arriving in Upland, William Markham issued a letter on June 21, 1681 to the Upland Court to notify them that the authority had shifted from the Province of New York to the new Province of Pennsylvania.
The Office of Sheriff, Office of Constable, and the Office of Magistrate that were re-established under Pennsylvania authority in Upland are not only the first Criminal Justice agencies in Pennsylvania, but they have been in continuous operation since the founding of Pennsylvania.
Today, those offices are:
Delaware County Sheriff
Constable of the City of Chester, 3rd Ward
District Magistrate 32-1-21
These are collectively the Founders Circle of Pennsylvania law enforcement and Criminal Justice.