mpd salaries – 1884

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