1930's - The Depression, Prohibition & Police Pay Cuts

1930's
As the 1920's grew to a close, the country was rocked by another event. In October of 1929, the Stock Market crashed. The Great Depression had begun and would last 10 years, with the worst years to be 1933-1935. Trenton struggled to cope with the economics of the time and the city budget was reduced. The Police Department and other sections of the government were forced to take pay cuts. (See table)


YEAR CUT PATROLMEN PAY-SHIFT
1932-33 5% $2,400 - $2,280
1933-37 20% $2,400 - $1,920
1937-38 15% $2,400 - $2,040
1938-39 5% $2,400 - $2,280


Sadly, the elements present in the 1930's (The Depression, Prohibition & Police Pay Cuts) led to corruption in the department. The large sums of money which Organized Crime had available for bribes tempted many officers and public officials. Newspaper articles of corruption and scandals were all too common causing the public to lose trust in the Police. The public loss of faith in the department was expressed very often with published "Letters to the Editor" in the newspapers. The corruption continued even after the repeal of Prohibition and extended to loan sharking and gambling operations. It is important to note that the corruption was not total, there were many officers who chose not to partake in the accepting of bribes. A few even had the courage and conviction to speak out against the corruption.

http://trentonpdhistory.org/Museum/

Sorry, forgot to post the link.