While city of San Antonio celebrates 300 years as a city, the police department isn’t quite that old.
In the early days, regulation was handled by Spanish soldiers. Military enforcement continued for a few decades. Then in 1846, city council meeting notes indicate San Antonio hired its first Chief of Police. Members of the San Antonio Police Historical Society point to that moment as the beginning of SAPD.
“As the city grows, the police department grows, becomes more professional,” said Steven Ramsey, a member of the historical society. “The city has changed so much since then but it’s a very admirable career that these officers are doing on behalf of our community.”
A key moment for the force was in 1900. Mayor Marshall Hicks and city council asked the police department to shape up. Uniforms and identical badges were used to give a more professional look to the force.
In 1927, city leaders decided to issue their officers .45 caliber Colt revolvers. The sidearm is a popular buy among collectors today.
“San Antonio was the last major city police department to equip their police officers with this particular revolver,” said William Gibson, a former SAPD Chief and history buff.
SAPD decided to open up substations to spread out their men. Officers used horses to get around the city.
“The substations were valued at $400 apiece, one-room affairs. They weren’t made for holding prisoners,” said Ramsey.
Substations are still used today, though they are much bigger than one room. As for headquarters, those buildings have also changed. SAPD operated out of city hall until 1915. They even had the jail in the basement.
Then the police force moved to another location where they shared the space with the fire department. That building was torn down in the 1960’s.
Public safety headquarters now sits downtown off S Santa Rosa.
SAPD says today, they put an emphasis on community partnerships and accountability at all levels.