Coal and Iron Police

The Coal and Iron Police were a private police force in Pennsylvania during the late 19th century. They were established by business corporations, often to combat labor unions and strikes. This force became particularly known for its anti-labor vigilantism.

This type of private policing arose in response to crime waves that crossed jurisdictional lines, which the decentralized public police forces struggled to manage. The Coal and Iron Police, along with agencies like the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, provided private security and enforcement services, sometimes engaging in strikebreaking activities. This era of American policing was often marked by corruption and political interference, with private forces sometimes acting with significant discretion. The Molly Maguires, a secret organization of coal miners, were blamed for terrorism in Pennsylvania's coalfields during this period, and mine owners hired private agencies to investigate.12