minneapolis police band
Did you know that the Minneapolis Police Band was formed in 1917 by Mayor George Leach and and its first Band Director, Arthur Bolte, who served in that capacity until 1922?
The band’s first performance was in the Armistice Day Parade in November, 1918.
During its first two years, the band was composed of police officers only. In 1919, civilian members were invited to join the ranks, and in 1969 the first women were admitted. Today the band members include active and retired officers and civilians.
street mother
Did you know that the Minneapolis Police Department once had an official “Street Mother”?
Officer Georgiana Sharrot served in that role from 1914 until her death in 1938.
Based upon her excellent service as a Special Officer for the Juvenile Protection League, Officer Sharrot was recommended to take the civil service exam. After passing the police physical training course, she was appointed by Mayor George Leach specifically to advise youth. Her work was praised for providing stability for many boys and girls and teens and helping prevent juvenile crime.
Officer Sharrot was well known not only for her work on the Minneapolis Police Department. She was active in and at one time Secretary of the International Association of Policewomen and she served as the President of Policewomen’s Association of Minnesota and the Northwest.
traffic officer safety
This is a photograph of Patrolman Richard Finke from the Minneapolis Tribune on December 16, 1957.
Hennepin Avenue merchants had just given the Minneapolis Police Department a gift of 50 safety reflector belts made by the Traffic Safety Supply Company as part of an effort to improve safety for traffic officers.
Officer Finke is also testing out a pair of white gloves which were the idea of Sergeant Earl Pritchard. The gloves were introduced to improve safety for traffic officers and to enhance hand signal visibility for drivers.