Milwaukee's first Chief (Beck) served is second term from 1863 to 1878. After being relieved of office once again, Mayor Black appointed Daniel Kennedy. The political spoils system, still in effect, resulted in Kennedy dismissing 25 patrolmen, who were suspected of being Republicans.
Chief Kennedy had served as a roundsman during Chief Beck's tenure. A roundsman was in charge of other officers when they made their "round". He was one rank above patrolman and earned five dollars more per month.
Patrolmen now wore a prescribe uniform (since 1874) and a new west side police station went into operation in 1878, the same year the Milwaukee Public Library was established. Milwaukee's force had increased to 127 by the end of Chief Kennedy's term. Three years earlier, Milwaukee patrolmen were given the authority to make arrests anywhere in the County.
In 1878, Chief Kennedy's salary was about $2,000 per year, compared with $5,000 for the County Sheriff.
This site is powered by the Northwoods Titan Content Management System