Just what were the salaries of the members of the Minneapolis Police Department in 1884?
A glance into the Proceedings of the City Council shows annual salaries for 1884 to be:
- Chief – $1800
- Captain – $1200
- Lieutenant – $1100
- Sergeant – $1000
- Detective – $1200
- Patrol Officer First Year – $828
- Patrol Officer Second Year and Above – $900
- Mounted Patrol Officer – $260 Additional for Maintenance of Horse
- Patrol Officer Serving Civil Papers including Horse Hire – $960
To give some additional perspective, here are the costs for some common items in 1884:
- Total Coal for the Minneapolis Police Department for one year – $2,151
- 175 tons of Lasalle lump coal for the Department @ $3.40 per ton = $595
- 80 tons of Anthracite stove coal for the Department @ $8.25 per ton = $660
- 200 tons of Youghiagheny lump coal for the Department @ $4.48 per ton = $896
- To buy a large lot and an 8 room house on Washington Avenue North and 15th Street – $3200
- To rent a 10 room house off 6th Avenue – $50 per month
- To rent a 2 room apartment at 608-13th Avenue South – $11 per month
- To rent a 2 room apartment at 1229-6th Street South – $5 per month
- To rent a one room office at 26 Washington Avenue South – $8 per month
- Flour – 3 cents per pound
- Beef and Pork – 10 cents per pound
- Sugar – 7 cents per pound
- Molasses – 60 cents per gallon
- Coffee – 28 cents per pound
- Milk – 6 cents per quart
Salary information taken from the Proceedings of the City Council of the City of Minneapolis, April 1884 – April 1885