In 1868, the city council created the position of "police judge" and appointed John H. Sahler. Later that year, the city council directed members of the force to provide themselves with "dark blue, single breasted coats, shirts and pants of the same material". They were required to have caps with a brass plate in the front marked "City Police". Between 1869 and 1882 the size of the department fluctuated, reaching 14 officers in 1882. In 1884, Marshal Roger T. Guthrie was convicted and imprisoned for accepting a bribe.