Bet you didn’t expect to find a piece of San Diego’s law enforcement history right here at The Headquarters at Seaport. This is the San Diego Police Department Exhibit & Jail Cells. It offers a unique glimpse into the city’s past. The Headquarters at Seaport is a shopping center on Harbor Drive. It stands where San Diego’s police headquarters once stood.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine this building in 1939. The San Diego Police Department moved into their headquarters on Harbor Drive. Before that, law enforcement was a bit more Wild West. In 1838, San Diego was a frontier town. Dueling and brawls were common. Antonio Gonzales formed a small police force. He appointed himself chief. These lawmen didn’t wear uniforms or badges.
Now fast forward to this very spot. For almost fifty years this building served as the city’s police headquarters. It was a fortress-like structure with a large courtyard. The San Diego Police Department remained here until 1987.
During World War II the San Diego Police Department faced huge challenges. One third of the officers were drafted into the military. The city’s population doubled. Officers worked long hours. Housing was scarce. Sailors and marines crowded downtown bars.
In 1986, the department acquired its first police helicopter. Two years later, shoulder patches were added to the police uniform. It was the first time in almost 100 years that officers wore an agency-specific patch.
Today, The Headquarters at Seaport has been transformed. It is home to restaurants and shops. But a piece of the past remains. You can explore a modest exhibit. It leads to the old jail cell block.
Take a look inside those jail cells. Imagine being an inmate here. Think about the stories these walls could tell. They speak of justice, and the officers who served.
The San Diego Police Department has a long history. It started with a city marshal in 1850. Agoston Haraszthy was elected as city marshal. He appointed Richard Freeman as his deputy. Freeman was the first African American lawman in California.
The first city jail was poorly constructed. It melted in the rain. Roy Bean, the mayor’s brother, escaped from it with a pocketknife.
In 1889, the city established a municipal police department. The requirements to be a San Diego police officer were simple. Applicants had to live in the city. They had to be at least five feet, nine inches tall. They also needed to be of good moral character.
The San Diego Police Department has faced many challenges. The department has grown. It has become more diverse. Today, the San Diego Police Department has over 1700 sworn officers. They have come a long way from the early days of marshals and vigilantes.
So as you wander through The Headquarters, remember this. The San Diego Police Department Exhibit & Jail Cells are more than just a historical display. They are a reminder of San Diego’s evolution. They show how far the city has come. They also show how its police force has evolved.